


4 0 * K * V 
. 'P. ^ c 

' A * 

* ^ A 



o o 



c> ' A <a^ <Jr 

a n 0 ' A v> . * 9 i A S' 1 ' s * * r ^ 

% # » 4 '■i'v 'v, ° '♦>> 5^ ° 




ca> O 

> * * v/ V* v " ‘V 0 * A ^ 

rL> y ' '‘V l ,’--^ v C ’ t> - \ 

>©>" c 



\* V s ,*, ^ 

v v s l^J* > & * 

* ^ A* V 

: <%>** 




* * v^ , ^™pr - oV 

y 0 * X * A O, */ : ’ s'* A 

^ A^ V C ° N °> ^O O'" S * V ' 

ITS # ^Cv, ^ O 0 ^ 

v 

© o N 




A 

'• v ^ s 

y 0 , * * A r> 'O t 'A^^A 

» * ^ A X c 0 N c -? ^b * ,i 

"T> * -j>£Sfv <* O 0 

"oo^ 



4 •’* 




*> 

.'"A “V' * 3 5 * i°° % *,,-,,. ■' .*• 

v s’ ' >y ^ .O v *. ^ u r O V s 7 a 

* A * jj\ l >>:< a, r <? 

V* « J^O^Sy^ ° 

^ A vv||^/ #' '\ \q^: / % 

° ^ " 0 *L‘^c»^ < V i ** s \o<*' 1 ; *,V** li 

0 '- ^ <? 




^ V 1 




© *• *tt> * '* / >v %; -»^ rr» * y 

v v'^:*/ > Av 


-r ^ V A 

> ^ A n ^ 

/^ -> /- V © 

^ ^ * 

& 


o ^, s s <G 

N c « v A 1 8 « <p 

0° ^ ^JY?9^ ^ + 



f* * 


c 
> > 

* A 




* OsV - ‘ 

* A' A> » 

* ^ - -i . ^ y . 

<A J o , v * A N ,. <L^ * « * 

A t 0 0 ♦ ^ 

O *> 1-X^Vv ^ O 



<1 ^ V.) *> 

♦ 4 ^ 

vV ^ 

’A" . % ^A/ 

, 0 " s-'** 0 /- cv V> A s ^ 

® ^ A © ^pfiil^ - * 

cl Z 

o o 

* -v ^ ■>.-«•»•* 

S '*-'* - y „ . \ _ 

A*' < 0NC *A 

A ' ° 






, % / v*\'„**/^ 

y. ^ 

^ fV V K 

< 0^ 

' :, 7'?< * 771 * >!^>> * ■’ K 0 >°. 

2 > ^ 

A o 

* - ^ *'***** - a 



'V 


^ % ■*. 


o * 


K* A 




» y + A 




















u * A 


<v\ „ 0 N c A v /-* 

AV v. « * O 

a\ x ^ AA v ■* 


•A V 


X°°* 


^ V 

o Cr 



‘ '-^ -a\ <* 

*A y o 

* 
o 

o’*^ 0 % %Tr.”''\^ r 

V 5 *.* «**'•%, v\'^ 

'• % 


r > N 


’ ^ 'TV 

a Or 

o 4 . °^ / O aP <*> 

V 0 ,% '"'• /. <> 

V' • ^ / 

- v i vv 


*° ®x. - «£ 

^ v- 





t> 6 



-*% : #' % '- „ v . ^ v . ... 

'V°.*' 1 !*,%'"*'> c.';,,V'••'',o <*‘'“*,% -°*‘>\ 

fJ^'lLsz\ u, ^/. V c ' O fit 

« & vr * <^pf f^, ,J * ^ r * us 

« , * 

*v * 7 ^, y 

.#■ ^ '* ,tg’.^ °o, *■ *7rr*''\^ 'V ,, »7Tr>* \& -o, 

a ^ || *A%lA r c % ^ * mm t 


*A £ 





x° 


© 

<« 

>- ^ 
* 


c 6 * 



& * %< ^ - 

+ 'Zyu>r s * 0 * 

a\ t »»«, ^ * * -' 

,r *• ' • 

« - '-Nxxwii^fla. y .v 

o 0 








^ c 5 > 

;/ ? «= v\a\ 

!■ , ' x ■%. \ 

1 0 . V ■»■ A M ^ "/ . , S' jl 

V ,»"'( V .o' 

> ■» _cJ^ < ^ O ^ 

5^ V *» 

o 0 






s oV"*^ 

0 s — \ * A * 

^ V « ^ 

’ • • /V **•'* /'-' 4 V' s - ° ;/\' *. ^ * v^» • >* ^ 

V \V ^ >=^ B “ life3S ^ 

CD — VWN VS s' U. s ~s 

A 

* A 





o * x 


s s tjU 

r0 v*V .‘% % ,i>' 


lN ^ 


•C* 


S \U c 

, 0 ^ .• l " «..'•*> 

o ^ 


3 -* °’>°\».o,V* • °‘V 

S V v . ^ .'A ?* <? C5, « *P 

* v o <>> ^ ^ (AAl r \V q 

-' 'i j. \ ; ^ ^ ;-.^ r , / [Jj ® ^ * 

iV<p 


; ,o5 ^ 

. \ si. 


7 ^ ^ 

* ^ 
: ^ 

: -jOOy, 

>. & 

^0 O 

* ^ 







* <x>' ^ 

* A * 


V ^ 

> </> 


xV ^ ' ■ 

7 *w, 



y oo' 


^ c o ", 

® ^ ** - 
o . s ^><^ c 

V v 

G°' ^ N :^ * C ° 

-< N C 



, <* 

* 0 * X* A 3 , * 7 S s 

% ./ % *• ,o' 

„ Ms" ^ A <v -^' ^ ^ 

' O o' :MH^: a v ? 

o l 

''*>.' * * « * ' f°° 

> <)■ ^ V. 0 



<v 





o A> 

» oV’ ^ 

% ''* ”. S' A° .,, <U 

«, Oj • C 0 ^'* 77 . t ^ 

•>%, ** MUiU't" /?. ^ ^A v 6 


y o ^ ^ 



o 0 




° N ° 0 " r ^m! : &*+ * 

• * ,;V* -»’*X«*. S : ;;: - : v >;V. • ,>> •t. 3 >°; y.. 

% / :MM\. ^ • aBki % / 

» .%»= 

** 0 \‘ 

' &*.. 



: 


<A y o « X * .\ 


V! * ■ 



(V ■£> 
























/ 




























































































. 













* • 





























































* 






















. 1 



















































































































f 













r 































* 


























Photo. by Daugherty FIRST STORE-HOUSE IN SOUTH MILFORD—1778 Front;. 































HISTORICAL ETCHINGS 


OF 


MILFORD AND VICINITY 


Some facts and fancies old and new 
Embellished by a rhyme or two 



Edited by, 

GEO. B^HYNSON 

i' 


Compiled and and Published by 
HYNSON & HEARS 

Peninsular News and Advertiser Publishing Co. 
Milford, Del. 








' . U.. . .1 


ijbratry of Coagirae^ 
Office of th* 

BEG ' ; V3 'B 0( ! 

/ 4 

Register of Copyright*, 





Copyright hy 
Hykson & Miars 
1898 


FW-T COPY, 

-\ ^ 

W^° 



Preface 


This history of Milford grew out of a determination 
to write a series of articles for publication in the Penin¬ 
sular News and Advertiser. As the work proceeded 
and the interest in the subject grew, it seemed desirable 
to preserve the matter in more durable form; the result 
is this publication. 

It has been at considerable labor that the various 
materials have been gathered and the items verified. 
We have given each detail such careful attention and 
have had such valuable assistance, that we believe this 
is a truthful history. No pains have been spared in care¬ 
ful research, and we have had invaluable help from 
persons of a bygone generation whose memories linger 
in the past. Perhaps after another decade this book 
could not have been written. 

We wish to acknowledge the kindly interest taken 
in the work by many friends, and their valuable sugges¬ 
tions; but we are especially indebted to Rev. J. Leighton 
McKim who has prepared considerable matter, and whose 
criticism has been most valuable. Above all else he has 
been animated by a desire to make the work authentic, 
and we are indebted to him for much research leading 
to that result. 

Without the assistance of James H. Bell very many 
interesting details would never have been known. 
There is no man in the town with such a fund of informa¬ 
tion regarding the people and events of the community, 


v 


as he became associated with the business and business 
men of Milford at the age of fifteen. His memory 
covers a greater part of the century, and this know¬ 
ledge is supplemented by countless interesting items 
which he has gathered from elderly persons and treas¬ 
ured from his youthful years. 

Dr. J. S. Pretty man has assisted us materially in the 
history of the press ; J. Y. Foulk, Esq., on the history 
of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. I. R. Jester on 
the history of the Baptist Church, and the early press. 

The chief idea animating all has not been to write 
for popularity—to flatter some at the expense of others, 
but first, that it shall be truthful, and,secondly, that it 
shall be interesting and valuable. 

This history of Milford, with whatever merits it 
may possess, with its imperfections, we submit to the 
public, trusting that our friends may accord to it the 
treatment it deserves. 

HYNSON & MEARS. 

Milford, Delaware, 

December, 1899. 


vi 



Some history in volumes writ , 

And fragments gathered bit by bit ~ 
Traditions dim with cobwebs spun , 
And handed down from sire to son. 
The dust of years has left its trace 
In many a nook and hiding-place ,—- 
On faded parchment brown with age 
And quaint old letters , page on page r 
0?i deeds conveying house a?id lands^ 
That turn to ashes in our hands. 


Some bits a7id scraps of days of old , 

Some stories that our fathers told , 

So77te fa7icies a7id perhaps a rhyme 
In honor of ye oldeyi time. 

These are the times of which we sing, 
These are the treasures which we brings 
And so we ask a little space, 

To show the7n hi the market-place , 

These treasures gathered 7icar a7id far — 
Our pack is open ! Here they a7 r e t 



vii 






Introduction 


T HE student of history is not a mere book-worm 
who stores his mind with bits of useless informa¬ 
tion . He soon comes to understand the relation¬ 
ship between the past and the present, and from the 
wisdom thus gleaned may, with some prophetic fore¬ 
sight, venture to cast the horoscope of the future. 

We have come on a long journey, and if we are 

“The heir of all the ages 
In the foremost files of time,” 

it is both interesting and profitable to seek those sources 
from whence we came, since the past is eloquent with 
good deeds to be emulated, and evil ones to be shunned; 
of successes to be repeated, and of failures to be avoided. 

“To the making of books there is no end,” and 
among those of the most primitive peoples, history 
takes the first place. When the press is instituted then 
the traditions handed down from generation to genera¬ 
tion, are stamped upon the page, by “the art preserva¬ 
tive of all arts, ’ ’ and henceforward are called ‘ ‘history. ’ ’ 
And while peoples and nations have thus had their 
deeds exploited,there are smaller, humbler communities, 
each working out its own destiny. They have their 
folk-lore and their traditions. These grow dim as the 
years advance and often fade into obscurity, or are blot¬ 
ted from recollection altogether. In our own commun¬ 
ity many generations have lived and died. They re- 


IX 


claimed this land from a wilderness. On the spot where 
traffic plies up and down our streets, and where our 
stores and dwellings stand, once grew the rank growth 
of primeval forests. The hardy pioneers who laid out 
their farms, and built this town were our progenitors. 
Their names are our names; and the blood that pulsed 
in their veins now flows in ours. 

What were their experiences—their names, their 
deeds, then, are matters of interest to us. It shall be 
our task, therefore, in the following pages to gather up 
and condense the various bits of information, collected 
from many sources, and for the most part, containing 
information that is accurate. 

The Peninsular News and Advertiser, 
Hynson & Mears, 

Editors and Publishers. 


x 


Early Settlements 



'HEN Henry Hudson set forth on his voyage 
to the new world in the endeavor to discover 
a north-west passage to the Pacific, he sailed 
a sea practically unknown, and when he touched land 
it was to find an unexplored wilderness. As most of 
our readers are aware, the first body of inland water 
which he explored was the Delaware Bay. Along the 
shores he saw long stretches of level lands bordered 
with marshes through which numerous streams wound 
their way peacefully to the sea. Here and there this 
hardy mariner beheld smoke lazily curling upward 
from Indian camps. There was a village of red men 
on the banks of the Hoorn Kill (now Lewes Creek) the 
evidences of which still remain. Another dotted the 
shore with its wigwams near the mouth of the Mispil- 
lion, while farther to the north, here and there, were 
small bodies camped along the shore intent on the fish 
and oysters which abounded in the waters. These, too, 
left traces which remain to this day, and at times, after 
the high tides have cut their way into the beach, bits 
of pottery are unearthed which crumble in the hand. 

But Hudson left our beautiful stream and sailed 
farther to the north, where he discovered the noble 
river which still bears his name. It was left to other 
men to settle and reclaim the country. The two first 
points of settlement were at Lewes and New Castle; the 
former then called Hoorn Kill, and the latter New 


ii 


Amstel. These pursued a varying fortune. The peo¬ 
ple of the first settlement at Lewes were massacred, 
and both possessions passed from the Dutch to the 
English ; and from the English to the Dutch again, 
until they finally became English till the date of our 
Revolution. The settlement of these places antedated 
that of Pennsylvania, and when William Penn sailed 
for the New World to take possession of his somewhat 
indefinite domain, he landed at New Castle, and for a 
time contemplated making it his capitol. Meanwhile 
English emmigrants under the protection of Lord Balti¬ 
more had been planting settlements along what is now 
termed the Eastern Shore. And from this starting 
point, they gradually spread over the western part of 
this Peninsula and down into the southern region, now 
a part of Virginia. In time they invaded the “three 
Lower Counties” as they were called, and became 
especially numerous in Kent and Sussex. 

Thus the early settlers of this region came from 
three sources: from the North (New Castle;) from 
the South (Lewes:) and from the West, or “Eastern 
Shore of Maryland and Virginia. ’ ’ But from the latter 
settlements came the great majority. And hence it 
happens that our people bear English names ; that our 
town and political divisions are called for places in the 
mother country. The two lower counties in the early 
days were called St. Jones and Hoorn Kill. The for¬ 
mer was the English appellation, and the latter the 
Dutch. After the country came into the possession of 
the English, the names of Kent and Sussex were 
adopted. Who named them we do not know, but 
whoever it was must have been dreaming of the beau- 


12 


tiful meadows and woodlands of these divisions in his 
own native England. For a time there was not even a 
village in Kent, and only the small settlement of Eewes 
in Sussex. 

After awhile the country became sparsely settled. 
In many cases immigrants simply took possession of a 
bit of territory more or less indefinite and subsequently 
laid out its boundaries. Others purchased directly 
from the Indians, and gave as consideration a few 
trinkets of little value. But they first occupied those 
lands along the bay and the creeks, and the farms were 
laid out in long parallelograms, each including a strip 
of marsh land, the object being to allow every settler 
pasturage for his cattle, and to afford water communi¬ 
cation. 

The life was primitive indeed. The clothing was 
home-made, at first consisting largely of skins, which, 
like the Indians, they fashioned into garments. Later 
they learned to raise flax, and from this and the wool 
of their sheep, managed to produce almost every article 
of clothing and household linen. Transportation was 
largely by horseback or by oxen drawing crude carts, 
which went lumbering over meadows, through woods 
and across streams, till in time regular roads were 
formed, some of which are the highways of travel for 
the descendants of these pioneers to this day. There 
were no bridges, and the streams not dammed, ran 
their courses unfettered to the sea. 

The houses, rude and widely scattered, at first were 
made of logs plastered with mud, their chimneys 
built of sticks filled in with the same material. There 
was a vast acreage of land yet untilled. Over this 


i3 


cattle roved, and the music of the tinkling cow-bells 
was heard far and wide, accompanied with the wild 
melody of the mocking-bird or the shrill call of the 
“bob white.” 

The farmers cultivated only corn and wheat; their 
bread was made almost exclusively from the former, as 
the latter was too expensive a luxury. There were 
slaves, too, who occupied the log-houses which had 
been the former dwelling places of their masters. For 
these pioneers were not content to abide in their first 
estate, but built rude saw-mills, and from the timber 
they fashioned, erected the first frame structures in the 
community. Perhaps a half dozen men in the two 
counties, nabobs in their generation, built what were 
regarded as palaces, of brick. Several of these struc¬ 
tures are still standing. But for the most part, wood 
was used exclusively and the buildings were of one- 
story, or if the builder was a rich man, a story-and-a 
half. The barns were small structures with huge 
frames heavily mortised and secure. They would 
scarcely accommodate the product of a single acre now, 
but were large enough then. An extensive farm might 
produce two or three hundred bushels of corn and fifty 
or a hundred bushels of wheat. But the owner of such 
a farm was an envied plutocrat. Besides these, they 
grew little else for market. Eater on, bark and cord- 
wood yielded a revenue, and apples and peaches were 
distilled into brandy. But this was almost solely for 
home consumption. Every man had his dram before 
breakfast, and brandy was an indispensable article on 
state occasions, such as country dances, barn raisings, 
hog-killings, or when distinguished company came. 


14 


When the country began to be settled, and the 
necessity of communication with the outer world arose, 
Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York were growing 
into flourishing towns. These places became the mar¬ 
kets for most of our produce and the source from 
whence came the supplies we needed. Communication 
was to be had by sailing craft, which were built and 
launched in our waters. At first these were rude and 
small, carrying only a few tons. They had no regular 
wharves or landing places, but drew into the banks 
along the shores of the creeks and took in, or emptied, 
their cargoes at the most convenient places. 


15 


The Awakening 

M ISPILLION next commands the eye, 

On northern bank doth Milford stand, 

With taste and elegance ’tis plann’d ; 

Has been increasing since its rise, 

In beauty, trade and point of size. 

When closed the war in eighty-one, 

This town as yet had not begun, 

The house of Oliver—no more— 

Stood on the solitary shore, 

But standing on the spot to-day 
One sees a hundred, so they say.” 

These lines written by James Iddings, a local poet, 
and published in The Monitor, of Wilmington, in 1804, 
give us an idea of the start of the town and its subse¬ 
quent progress. 


Meanwhile the forces were at work which were in 
time to build our towns and villages. There were cer¬ 
tain landing places more convenient than others, and con¬ 
sequently they became centers for the people to gather. 
Then a mill would be built and a road constructed 
to secure access to it. If there happened to be a spot 
near this point where the stream was fordable, all the 
elements to make a town were present. Such were the 
beginnings of the town of Milford. It was clearly 
foreseen that ultimately a village must spring up on the 
banks of the Mispillion for the reason that the popula- 


16 



tion along its shores was growing, and the products 
were increasing yearly. But for a time there was doubt as 
to where it would be located. Some thought it should 
be built near what is called the New Wharf. There were 
a number of vessels sailing from that point and several 
settlements in the vicinity. A large burial-ground was laid 
out, and there sleep, doubtless, many of our ancestors, 
their graves unmarked, their history unknown. But 
the site on which this town stands held some superior 
advantages ; the river could be forded near by, and natu¬ 
rally the roads would lead to and from this point, 
bringing the traffic of the country and causing the 
people to congregate here. Such were the conditions 
prior to 1778. 

Before the Revolution most of the land of what is 
now the town of North Milford was the plantation of 
one Joseph Oliver. It was called “Saw-mill Range,” 
and was warranted to the original owner, Henry 
Bowman, in 1680. It passed by inheritance to his 
son John, who sold it to Jacob Warrington. Joseph 
Oliver purchased it of Warrington, who was his father- 
in-law, in 1773. This man was undoubtedly the 
leading citizen of the community. He was a large land 
owner, and his wharves were crowded with the 
shipping of this section. He bought the farmers’ pro¬ 
duce, and in turn sold them their supplies. Store 
keeping was less complex in those days than now. 
Groceries, hardware, medicines and dry goods were 
confined to a few articles. A little sugar, coffee, tea 
and tobacco made up the bulk of the grocery trade. 
Drugs were confined to a few articles compounded of 
well known roots and herbs. Whiskey was cheap and 


17 


plentiful, often it was given to customers as a sort of 
bonus or premium. It was brought from Philadelphia 
in huge hogsheads, and the crews were expected to 
loosen a hoop and help themselves. 

Oliver’s mansion stood on Front street, east of 
where the Central Hotel is now located. It was situ¬ 
ated about half the distance between the street and the 
river. Part of what was his spacious lawn is now occupied 
by the residences of Mrs. Ruth T. Carlisle and Dr. R. Y. 
Watson. Ret us picture the scene: a large old-fash¬ 
ioned mansion surrounded with all the evidences of 
prosperity, in the midst of a great lawn that stretched 
away to the road. Beyond this were the woodlands 
and the fields among the clearings. To the south the 
yard and garden leading to the river, where 
the various craft were moored. Such w r as the scene 
that met the eyes of this thrifty pioneer. 

He was enterprising, too ; early in 1791 he obtained 
permission from the General Assembly to construct a 
drawbridge at what was called “Oliver’s Landing,” 
(now the town of Milford). 

This act had been passed as a private act, and under 
it Mr. Oliver would have been allowed to charge 
toll. The people objected to this, and in the Legisla¬ 
ture of 1791 (before Oliver had begun its construc¬ 
tion) the act was repealed. The two counties of Kent 
and Sussex became the owners, and Nathaniel Hayes 
and ex-Gov. Daniel Rogers from the latter, and Isaac 
Davis, Cashier of Smyrna Bank, and Dr. John Ralston, 
of near the present village of Farmington, from the for¬ 
mer county, were appointed overseers to supervise its 
construction and keep it in order. 


18 


Photo, by Daugherty FIRST HOUSE IN NORTH MILFORD—OLIVER’S 

(Removed and Divided) 




















































This bridge was located at or near the place where 
the present iron structure now spans the stream, and 
causeways were built thereto. Oliver’s house, remod¬ 
eled and transformed, is still standing. After more 
than a century and a quarter it is a reminder of 
the days when there was but one house at this spot and 
the place named “Oliver’s Landing.’’ 

After Mr. Oliver’s death the house was bought by 
Charles Watson, of Cedar Neck, who bequeathed it to 
his daughter, Mrs. Hetty Hooper. She sold it to 
Curtis S. and Bethuel Watson, who removed the edifice 
to South Front street and rebuilt it into two houses, 
which still stand on the west side of S. N. Gray’s 
residence. 

About the end of the war with England there came 
to this section from the Eastern Shore of Virginia, a 
clergyman of the Church of England named Sydenham 
Thorne, a man of means and culture. He soon become 
possessed of the delightfully situated farm of 307 acres 
located west of a stream called Tanner’s Branch, which 
runs across Front street, and forms the western boun¬ 
dary of Oliver’s lands. Here on the high grounds 
he built a handsome brick residence. To this man 
is due the credit of the inceptive thought of laying out a 
town on Mr. Oliver’s farm. He evidently saw the 
possibilities of its becoming an active business center, 
and that the surest way to make the project a success 
was to build bridges and dams across the stream and 
open up the roads for the accommodation of the agri¬ 
cultural population. With these plans in mind he 
approached Mr. Oliver and offered to build a dam, the 
most part of which can yet be seen, and which is 


19 


known to the present generation as the old Tumbling 
dam. He was to build it across the river at his own 
expense, with the understanding that Oliver should 
have his farm surveyed into building lots. 

The latter accepted the proposition, and the 
agreement was faithfully carried out by both 
parties. And now we have evidence of the fore¬ 
sight, the wisdom and the public spirit of those 
two men, in our beautiful, flourishing town. Farmers 
from Sussex on their way with a grist were compelled 
to ford the stream, and from the conjunction of this 
old mill to the ford, the people finally came to desig¬ 
nate the place Milford. After the bridge was built, 
vessels used to come up through the draw, past where 
the present bridge now stands, and on up to the mill, to 
load with corn for Liverpool. At the present day only 
a small row boat could traverse this channel. 

The new dam soon affording ample water power, 
a saw-mill was erected at the east end, and a grist-mill 
lower down where the Red Mill now stands. Natu¬ 
rally the reader will ask when this was ? Well, some 
years ago a communication was published in a Wil¬ 
mington paper from the pen of a Wilmingtonian, in 
which he related that while on a visit to London he 
went into the British Museum Library, and was surprised 
and delighted to pick up a small history of Delaware 
(written by an Englishman about 1795). Among 
other towns spoken of was Milford. It said “that Mil¬ 
ford was pleasantly located ; that the streets were laid 
off rectangularly ; that from 1778, when the first house 
was built, to 1790, eighty buildings were erected, and 
that the climate of Delaware was the most changeable 


20 


on the face of the earth.” It is a source of regret that 
no note was made of the writer’s name and the news¬ 
paper in which it appeared, but we are confident that this 
early account of Milford can be relied upon ; especially 
that part which relates to the changeable weather bears 
proof of the truth by the fact that even now many are 
of the same opinion. 


21 


Pioneers and Their Homes 

NORTH MILFORD 


A S early as 1778, Martin De Waele, a French 
emigrant, settled here and built the large frame 
hotel which for so many years stood on the 
site where now stands Kramlich’s brick hostelry. 
De Waele also built and owned the two-story brick 
store-house at the corner of Walnut and Second streets, 
South Milford. 

The first dwelling-house erected in Milford after it 
was laid out was Gallaudet Oliver’s. It stood on the 
southeast corner of North and Second streets. He was 
by trade a gunsmith and his shop was just north of his 
residence. He mended the old flint-locks of his day, 
and was the first locksmith of this section. 

At the northwest corner of Front and North streets 
as far back as 1788 there stood a building devoted to 
millinery. Here young girls learned the trade, and 
other young girls bedecked themselves with the finery 
of the period ; and, if old fashion plates are truthful, 
a curious head dress was worn by these great-great 
grandmothers of ours. 

Subsequently, about 1803, all the building lots 
fronting on the west side of North street, between 
Front and Second streets, came into the possession of 
John Wallace, Esq., who married the widowed mother 
of Dr. John M. Eofland, the “Milford Bard.’’ 


22 


































































t 




















































' ■ 
















































































t 



Photo, by Daugherty p. 23 

RESIDENCE OF MRS. R. B. ROUDABUSH 








Mr. Wallace built a dwelling and storehouse all 
under one roof as it is now outlined, where Mrs. R. 
B. Roudebush resides, and which now bears no resem¬ 
blance to the building it was in 1793, except in the 
large old-fashioned chimney which still abuts on the 
street. 

On the west side of North above Fourth street 
there stood an old frame dwelling-house until 
within the last five years. It was built prior to 1800, 
;and was the home of Thomas Collins, a very eccentric 
local preacher. The house remained there for years un- 
tenanted and dilapidated, with the end next to the 
-street, against which was built a towering chimney that 
threatened to fall across the road ; through fear of 
'this possibility the building was torn down and the 
chimney razed about five years ago. Mr. Col¬ 
lins had three sons, Neddy, Henderson and John 
Wesley. The first-named, Neddy, and his son John 
'Wesley and his son and grandson were all brick¬ 
layers, who built, or helped to build most of the 
•old brick houses in town. 

A Frenchman named Shivellier, put up a large frame 
house on part of the ground where the Masonic Hall 
now stands. After Shivellier’s death the building was 
for years occupied by shops. It was sold and removed 
down Front street to a lot on the east side of the last 
brick house there. It is still standing, and in its rear 
for a kitchen is a one-story frame house that stood 
for no one knows how long on the southwest corner of 
Front and Walnut streets. It was first occupied by 
Thomas May, then by Garret Sipple, and next by 
Henry Hudson as a store; then by John Dutton, a 


23 


silver-plater, and last by Simeon Blood, a broom and 
brush maker. 

Shivellier had other property, but dying without 
kin, part of it escheated to the State. He owned a 
coal black slave named “Dublin.” To him was given 
in fee the valuable building lots whereon Mark G. 
Tofland and Col. Mark H. Davis reside. The first- 
named lot is at the northwest corner of Walnut and 
Second streets ; the other is on Walnut near Second 
street. Dublin lived on the corner property, in a little 
“shak” about ten feet square; on the other corner 
Peter F. Causey resided. The negro worked at rossing 
bark, and was a proud, aristocratic fellow. After his 
death it was found that he had bequeathed to Mr. 
Causey the corner house and lot, and the other lot to 
Rev. Trusten P. McColley, two of the wealthiest men 
in town. Tike most of the bark shavers, when he 
went to work in the morning, he carried in his hand a 
little brown jug of whiskey, which was sure to be 
empty at sundown. But when the temperance reform 
was inaugurated, he and the rest put their jugs into 
baskets and carried them down on their shoulders. 

Where Alderman Foulk resides, on North street 
near Fourth, Jabez H. Cropper, a tailor, formerly 
lived, and taught the business of tailoring to a number 
of apprentices, who followed him. Among them were 
Wm. N. W. Dorsey, who married one of his daugh¬ 
ters ; Tevin Swiggett, Clement Clark, of Wanamaker 
& Brown ; and Wm. T. DuPree, of DuPree & Chantry, 
Philadelphia. 

The May family, now of Philadelphia, of which 
Captain Henry May was the head, used to reside here ; 


24 


their dwelling is still standing on Front street below 
Pear. They amassed fortunes as bankers and ship 
owners. 

Among the earliest settlers in this section was a 
man named Samuel Paisley. He built, and for a time, 
occupied part of the brick building next to the May 
property ; the eastern end was added by Spencer Wil¬ 
liams, who purchased it and resided there till his 
death. Samuel Paisley left Milford and settled on a 
farm he owned, which is now the property of Peter 
L. Lofland. His son, Samuel Paisley, jr., was of a 
romantic turn of mind, and wrote several pieces of 
poetry to imaginary charmers, which were printed in 
the Milford Beacon and later local papers under the 
nom deplume of “Brutus.” 

The elder Paisley, while coming up the river with 
a load of oysters, had the misfortune to capsize his dug- 
out at “Reville’s Landing,” and was drowned. 

The brick part of the National Hotel at the comer 
of Walnut and Front streets, was erected by Daniel 
Godwin. When Peter F. Causey bought it he added 
the third story; and as the first three-story house in 
town, it was an object of great interest to rural visitors 
of that period. 

Sometime in the decade of 1840, Hudson Burr (a 
son of Joseph Burr, the first lessee of the Ridgway 
House, at the foot of Market street, Philadelphia) came 
here with his family, and leased the National 
Hotel; he remained for several years, and then went to 
Lewes, where, in connection with Charles Wilson, late 
of Washington, D. C., he built the United States Hotel 
at that place. The patronage was not such as Mr. 


25 


Burr expected, and he removed to Iowa. He was one 
of the handsomest men who ever lived in the 
town, a veritable son of Anak, yet kind and 
affectionate as a woman. After Mr. Burr, 
the property was owned by James Tumlin, of 
New Castle county, who added the third-story frame 
part and generally improved the building. Subse¬ 
quently, Justus Lowery bought the place, and made it 
a popular hostelry for a number of years. He was at 
one time possessed of a considerable fortune, which was 
impaired by embarking in too many projects, until one 
night a barber, who had been a valet to General Torbert 
while Consul General in Paris, and was now a tenant 
of the premises, became suddenly insane and set fire to 
Lowery’s stables, which with contiguous buildings, 
were burned to the ground. This disheartened him, 
but he struggled as best he could with adversity, until 
eventually the property passed into the hands of James 
A. Stovel, of Philadelphia, who now owns it. 

The old pottery building on Pear street, near Causey’s 
ore wharf (operated by John H. Denning, from Marcus 
Hook, Pa.), formerly stood on Front street, on the site 
now occupied by John P. Steward’s shoe store and 
dwelling ; at one time it was the town post-office. 

The small shop, now a Chinese laundry, next to 
Viereck’s, is over a hundred years old, and was con¬ 
structed by a carpenter named Jonathan Milman, long 
since deceased. It was in this building, that T. P. 
McColley, in early manhood, carried on the hatter’s 
business. 

The first Masonic Hall in Milford was in the second 
story of the Academy, from the time the lodge was or- 


26 


ganized until 1846, when it was moved into its present 
quarters. 

Seventy years ago, on the picturesque elevation 
where Mrs. Elizabeth Clark resides, there stood a one- 
story frame dwelling occupied by one William Sam¬ 
mons and his family. In time it was purchased of 
Peter F. Causey by Daniel C. Godwin, who changed 
the sloping hill and erected the handsome dwelling that 
crowns this charming location. After he was appointed 
Register of Wills at Dover, he sold the property to Dr. 
Robert Frame, who occupied it for a time and then 
built the dwelling on Second street near Walnut, where 
Colonel Theodore Townsend lives. Dr. Frame con¬ 
veyed the Godwin property to a real estate agent who 
subsequently failed in business, and the place was 
bought by Doctor Robert H. Clark, paymaster in the 
the U. S. Navy, whose abundant wealth and leisure, 
and cultivated taste, transformed the spot into one of 
the most elegant homes in Milford. 

William Sammons removed to Washington street, 
South Milford, and occupied a little house, that as far 
back as 1825 was a schoolhouse. 

The two-story brick building at the northwest cor¬ 
ner of Second and North streets was built by John 
Purden. None of the family are now living unless it 
be Miss Anna Burley. It was occupied by Hiram W. 
McColley for a number of years, and probably is now 
the property of his heirs. 

The old brick dwelling on Front street, west of 
Kramlich’s hotel, was built by Purnell Eofland, who 
was born in 1760. He died in his 59th year, and was 
succeeded by his son, Dr. James P. Eofland, who 


27 


remained there until he removed to the residence he 
built on Front street, between Church and North streets, 
where he died. The Doctor’s son, Hon. James R. 
Lofland, occupied the new house until his death in 
1894. 

On the site of the stately brick residence in which Mrs. 
Elizabeth Mitchell lived and died, there formerly stood 
an old frame house where Samuel Draper lived for 
a long time. About 1850 the Milford Bank bought the 
property and erected the present three-story brick 
buildingfor a banking house. Before this the bank 
occupied temporarily a part of Capt. James T. Bur¬ 
ley’s house where the Milford Democrat is now pub¬ 
lished. But before taking possession of the new build¬ 
ing the concern failed and went out of business. Then 
Dr. James R. Mitchell (who had for a long time 
occupied all those white brick buildings between Dr. 
Purnell’s office and Mrs. Cornelius J. Hall’s residence 
on Front street) bought the new bank building and 
removed to it, and there a few years later he died. His 
wife was Elizabeth Wallace, daughter of John Wallace. 

Peter T. Causey came to Milford at an early period 
from Easton, Md. He died here, and his son, Peter F. 
Causey, succeeded him,, and lived in the same house 
until he was first nominated for Governor, when he 
removed to his brick property nearly opposite. 

When John McCurdy, of Philadelphia, built the 
dwelling for his daughter, Mrs. Nehemiah Davis, where 
Frank Rickards now resides; and Daniel C. Godwin 
erected the building where his daughter, Mrs. Ella 
Collins, lives, the old Causey house, which stood on 
the site, was torn down to give place for the new ones. 


28 


All who go down Front street, have no doubt 
noticed near Draper, Davis & Co.’s phosphate works 
an old two-story frame building. It was a part of the 
Elijah Jester residence which formerly stood on the 
northeast corner of Front and Walnut streets, occupy- 
with other houses, the site of the brick 
building now on the corner. It was bought by 
W. N. W. Dorsey, and removed to its present location. 
The main building, formerly a tavern, was 
torn down. Mr. Jester married a sister of Col. Thomas 
Peterkin. Near the above old house is another one- 
and-a-half story house which used to stand where Mrs. 
Anna P. Williams’ brick residence is on Front near 
Church street. It was the medical office of Dr. Wil¬ 
liam Burton and his partner, Dr. Robert H. Clark. 

The sons of Elijah Jester were Spencer W. Jester, 
John R. Jester and Wm. E. Jester; the last-named 
married a daughter of William Wray, who kept a hotel 
at the foot of Market street, Philadelphia, where the 
Ridgway house now stands. 

But few of the many who have settled here in the 
far-off past have left such indelible evidence of public 
spirit, business enterprise and sound judgment as 
Benjamin B. Wadhams, who was born at New Milford, 
Conn., in 1789, and died here at the age of 42 years. 
Some say he appeared as a peddler ; but that is not ma¬ 
terial to this account. He purchased all the west side 
of Walnut street between Front and Second streets, now 
owned by Mrs. Mary E. Lofland and Dr. James G. 
Stanton. 

Before Wadhams came, there stood a brick tavern on 
the northwest comer of Front and Walnut streets, kept 


29 


by Abner Dill. There he built a two-story brick store 
house and dwelling (utilizing the east and south walls 
and chimney of the Dill hotel, as was plainly seen be¬ 
fore the building was rough cast). It is now occupied 
in part by the First National Bank. The third story 
was added by the late Col. Fiddeman after his purchase 
of it from the late Mr. Causey. 

Wadhams next built a tavern, as seen in the two 
low r er stories of the Torbert residence , and one James 
Starr kept it. He next embarked in the mercantile 
business where the bank now is, and continued up to 
the time of his death. He carried a heavy stock of 
miscellaneous merchandise and shipped large quantities 
of farm products, bark, wood, etc. He left one son, 
Henry Wadhams, who disposed of all the property to 
Peter F. Causey, went to New Orleans and died there. 

Mr. Causey sold the Starr tavern house to Daniel 
Currey, who employed a skillful architect (Alonzo 
Reynolds, of Port Deposit, Md.), to add a third story 
and modernize the building as it now appears. 

Daniel Currey married Miss Mary Polk, sister of 
Governor Trusten Polk, of Missouri, and aunt of Mrs. 
William F. Causey. His only daughter, Mary E. 
Currey, married the late Major Gen. Torbert. 

The dwelling on the northwest comer of Second and 
Church streets, now owned by Mr. McKim, is said to 
be one of the very first in the town. It was called the 
“red house,” and was known as an old house back as 
far as 1813. 

On the comer of Front and North streets, where 
Dr. Pratt’s drug store is, used to stand a large frame 
dwelling, also painted red. It was the home of Mrs. 


30 


Photo, by Daugherty GEN. A. T. A. TORBERT’S RESIDENCE 

(Now DR. J. G. STANTON’S) 































































* 















































































- 

























Cynthia Wallace, widow of John Wallace, and mother 
of the “Milford Bard.” It was in front of this house 
that during the war of 1812, one of the United States 
soldiers was assassinated; his body was found in the 
morning on the sidewalk, and that is all now known of 
the affair. 

The canal at the east end of Front street was 
dredged and wharfed up by H. B. Fiddeman and 
Daniel Currey, before the building of the railroad here, 
and when wharf room was in demand. It is now fast 
filling up with drainage down Front street. 

The large white two-story frame dwelling at 
the southeast corner of the Academy lot, usedjto stand 
at the northeast corner of Second and North streets. 
It was built and occupied by John Williams, a grand¬ 
son of Reynear Williams 1st, of Angleford Landing. 
He married a Miss Collins, and their descendants have 
always been among the leaders in the community. 
Mrs. Peter F. Causey was one of his daughters. 

The two-story brick store house and frame dwelling 
at the northwest corner of Church and Front streets 
were built in 1814, and Reynear Williams, son of John 
Williams, lived there, and carried on merchandising. 
His first wife was a daughter of Col. Benjamin Potter ; 
after her death he married a sister of Peter F. Causey. 
When elected Governor, Wm. Tharp removed from 
Farmington to Milford, purchased the property, and 
resided there till his death. 

On the east side of the above is a large frame 
dwelling which was owned early in the century by a 
Frenchman named Millechamp ; one of his daughters 


3i 


married Purnell Hall, father of James M. Hall, Esq., 
president of the First National Bank. 

On the south side of Front street near Church, is a 
two-story brick house over a hundred years old, now 
occupied by Mrs. Yardley. It was built by John 
Pettigrew, and is said to have been at one time an inn. 
Dr. Greer married his daughter, Miss Ann Pettigrew, 
who survived him a long time and died more than twenty 
years ago. She possessed a remarkable memory of the 
early history of the town. She knew Parson Thome, 
and was fond of talking of the eloquent preacher and 
others who lived here at that period. 

At the corner of Take and Front streets is a two- 
story brick and frame house, built before 1800 
by Capt. Hanry M. Paine, a cooper, who was an old 
man in 1830. He died there, and then the property 
was bought by James H. McColley, former Consul at 
Callao, Chili, where he died of yellow fever. He 
married Elizabeth Bell Dutton, sometime owner of the 
Haven Mills. 

On the west side of the above-named house is a red, 
two-story frame dwelling in which Gen. Thomas 
Fisher, the father of Hon. Geo. P. Fisher, once lived. 
Here the Judge was bom 83 years ago, and here it was that 
he formed the life-long friendship with John M. Clayton, 
whose father owned the Thome mansion, nearly oppo¬ 
site across the park. 

On Front street, next to the residence of Hon. 
James R. Lolland, was the home of W. N. W. Dorsey. 
He came here from Maryland, was postmaster through 
several Presidential terms, and at one time justice of 
the peace. When the silk-worm craze came along he 


32 


engaged in that until he had a fair nursery of mulberry 
trees and cocoons. Later he sold out to John M. 
Darby. Afterwards Dorsey bought the Latchum farm and 
secured permission from the Legislature to open a road 
past it, now known as the New Wharf road. 
From the clay on the farm he made and burned kilns 
of brick, with which was built the “Hotel Windsor’ ’ in 
SouthMilford. Later he was appointed clerk of the 
peace at Dover. 

East of Dorsey’s house was the residence of William 
Hill, father of Mrs. Nathan Pratt. He was a son of 
Robert Hill, a wealthy farmer who lived opposite the 
Wyncoop farm. Mr. Hill married a daughter of John 
Wallace, and was a brother of Robert Hill, of Smyrna, 
and Henry Hill, of Philadelphia. His sisters were Mrs. 
Ann Burton,Mrs. Sally Hudson and Mrs. Eliza Clark,the 
mother of Dr. Robert H. Clark. He owned nearly all 
the tillable lots out Walnut street, including the land 
now the Odd Fellows’ cemetery, and the farm, in part, 
where his father resided, which had a frontage on the 
road leading to the “Brick Granary,’’ of nearly a mile 
in length. He was a gentleman of the old school, 
jovial, dignified and universally beloved. 

The house at the northwest corner of Fourth and 
North streets was bequeathed by Thomas Collins to his 
son, John Wesley Collins. His daughter, Harriet, 
married Levin Latchum, after whose death she removed 
from the Latchum farm to her father’s house. She was 
the mother of James H. and John Latchum, two of our 
enterprising business men. 

The Latchum family is a very old one, extending 
back for five generations, and they were once local- 


33 


ly famous for the excellent shad caught at “Latchum’s 
Fishery.” 

The white frame building on the northeast corner of 
Front street and Railroad Avenue was the residence a 
long while ago of Henry Davis, brother of Isaac 
Davis, sometime president of the Bank of Smyrna, and 
the father of George E. Davis, of Milford. It formerly 
stood where Mrs. C. J. Hall’s house stands, and must 
be at least a hundred years old. 

Where the Methodist parsonage is, Henderson Collins, 
son of Thomas Collins, used to live and keep store , he 
owned considerable other property, but nearly all was sold 
before he died. His brother Neddy lived at the 
extreme end of North street in an old and dilapidated 
two-story house that was taken away several years ago. 
His son Edward married Margaret Ann Truitt, who, 
on becoming a widow, wedded the late Nathaniel 
Warren, who for many years kept Thorne Point House. 

At the point of junction of Fourth and Church 
streets is a large two-story house, for a long time 
occupied as a schoolhouse, wherejohn Wesley Hudson, 
and later his brother Joseph, both of South Milford, 
taught school. A large number of our citizens, now 
dead, as well as some still living, received their first 
lessons here. 

On the comer of the lawn of Joseph Oliver was a 
small frame shop, running a little back from the street, 
kept as a bonnet store by Miss Mary Beswick, and 
then by Miss Sarah Ann Shockley, and next by Mrs. 
S. A. Collins, and by how many others before them 
nobody knows. Some very handsome young ladies 
learned their trade there, then married and became 


34 


the honored mothers of families. The building was 
bought by William Hill, and removed to his farm 
north of the town. 

The first foundry in Milford is supposed to have 
been conducted in connection with blacksmithing by 
Nathan Davis, whose residence is still standing at the 
northeast corner of Front and Pear streets. The 
foundry and shop stood south on Pear street, where the 
garden now is. When the first iron was melted in the 
cupola , a good-sized crowd of the curious went to see 
it. Mr. Davis was quite successful in business. 

Before Carter's Alley, which now runs from Walnut 
to Pear street, was opened, there stood, adjoining Par- 
doe’s furniture store, an antiquated two-story frame 
house that had a history. It was built by William 
Smith, a brother of Mrs. T. P. McColley, who lived 
and died there; then it became the tin shop of 
Isaac Steward. Finally it was removed to Water 
street, near where the town lock-up now stands. In 
the sixties one Tom Hoskins occupied the house. One 
night John Bennett, a highly-respected farmer of Mil¬ 
ford Neck, went there and asked admission, which 
Hoskins refused, and from a second-story window shot 
and mortally wounded Mr. Bennett. Hoskins was 
arrested, tried and convicted, and was hanged at Dover. 

The old building on the east side of Dr. Geo. W. 
Marshall’s residence, was erected, it is believed, by 
Esquire Moulton Rickards in the beginning of this 
century. One of his daughters married George White 
(on whose farm the village of Houston is now located), 
the other married John Moody, whose son, Thomas 
Moody, is now a wholesale shoe merchant in Baltimore ; 


35 


-one of his sons, Dr. Rickards, settled in Lewes, 
A grand-daughter married Hon. Charles Polk, and 
another married the late Col. C. S. Watson. 

In the next building on the west of the above-named 
house was the office of Discount and Deposit of the 
Bank of Smyrna, for a long time the only bank in 
town. Peter Caverly, a nephew of Parson Thorne, 
was its first local director, and Spencer Williams the 
first cashier ; he was succeeded by George S. Adkins, 
who was followed by Thomas F. Hammersley. Ex¬ 
cepting the bank room, the rest of the building was in 
tenure of some family. It is supposed that Col. 
Thomas Peterkin, a wealthy citizen, erected the 
building. At any rate the earliest occupant, 
so far as known, was his sister, Polly Peterkin, 
a spinster, who married one James Webb, sev¬ 
eral years younger than herself. When she sud¬ 
denly died, there were rumors of poison. Her 
husband immediately fled, was pursued and captured at a 
tavern kept by Samuel Warren, at Fleatown on the 
Georgetown road. Pie was arraigned, but escaped convic¬ 
tion from lack of sufficient evidence. About 1837 
Clement Morris lived in the bank. One Saturday night he 
failed to appear as usual, and, on Sunday morning his 
body was found upright in the Tub-mill race. 
A verdict of suicide was rendered by the coroner’s jury, 
and so great was the excitement in the town that 
half the grown-up population went out to see the 
corpse. 

We frequently hear of “Paul Knabb’s Lane.” It 
runs from the eastern end of the town to a corner of 
Front street, and thence to Simpson’s phosphate works 

36 







Photo, by Daugherty A MODERN RESIDENCE 

(A. Pullen’s) 


p 36 































* 

























































































































on the river. Knabb’s house, according to informa¬ 
tion obtained from an old resident, stood on the border 
of May’s lot upon a site now covered by a little cluster 
of locust trees. He followed the occupation of oyster- 
ing and fishing. Singularly enough, his name still 
sticks to the lane, while the names of hundreds of other 
men more widely known in life are forgotten. 

On the site of the phosphate factor was a fishery 
belonging to Capt. Henry May. In early times, 
fishing on Sunday was not illegal, and when shad were 
abundant, the day did not interfere with the sport of 
catching them. One morning more than two hundred 
were landed here, it is said, at a single haul. 

The meadow at the east end of Front street was 
banked up in former times so effectually that corn was 
raised on the higher part, and the lower afforded excel¬ 
lent pasture. It belonged to Dr. James P. Lofland and 
his brother-in-law, Spencer Williams. 

The three-story brick dwelling house near the south¬ 
east corner of Front street and Railroad Avenue was. 
erected by William Wolff, of Pottsville, Pa., for his 
daughter, who married the late Purnell Lofland, a 
brother-in-law of former Chancellor Harrington. Mr. 
Lofland inherited the ground-rents of the town, of which 
his widow afterwards became possessed. She sold her 
interest to Peter L. Lofland for $5,000. Purnell Lof¬ 
land embarked in mercantile affairs on the corner 
nearly opposite his residence; he also bought the 
Benjamin Henderson farm, which comprised what are 
now the farms of J. J. Rosa, Mrs. Snell and part of the 
land of Gen. Van Vorst; but having no training in 
business affairs he soon faiied. 


37 


Our forefathers were strangely unmindful of the 
demands of health, exercise and recreation of their 
posterity when they spoliated the beautiful knolls and 
sloping hills within the town limits, on the eastern 
side that once adorned the site, to obtain gravel for 
filling in wharves and repairing streets. This left 
unsightly, disease-breeding pools of stagnant water, 
where once luxuriant oaks crowned the hills and af¬ 
forded charming suburban retreats, where, under the 
breezy shades and in view of pleasant landscapes, our 
young people could resort and enjoy themselves. On 
the north side of the town was ‘‘Harrison Grove,” 
quite extensive, well wooded and close to the heart of 
the town. It was so called because mass meetings 
were held there when William Henry Harrison was a 
candidate for the presidency. Nothing remains there 
now to remind us of the grove but the bare ground. 


38 


In Good Old Sussex County 

[Reprint from the Year Book of the Sons of Delaware]. 

By GEORGE B. HYNSON 

I N good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware, 
I often say to my old wife, “I’m glad we’re livin’ 
there. 

The country’s kind of humble like, a-stretchin to the sea, 
It ain’t a stylish lookin’ place, and don’t pretend to be; 
They ain’t a mountain anywhere a-holdin’ up its head; 
They ain’t no rocks, but only sand a-shinin’ there instead, 
But they’s alius welcome fer ye, you can feel it in the air, 
In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 

The sweetest kind of music is the rustle of the corn, 
And the whippoorwills a-callin’ in the early of the morn, 
And the bees among the clover hummin’ sech a lovely 
tune, 

That a feller’d be contented with an everlastin June. 

I love to watch the glowin’ sun and then the summer 
rain, 

That teches up the dusty grass, and makes it smile again, 
With happiness fer everyone, and jest a bit to spare, 

In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 

I reckon they ain’t nothin’ that a feller could compare 
To the red and juicy peaches that you find a-growin’ 
there ; 


39 


Jest help yerself, its all the same ef you should take a few, 
Fer every farmer counts hisself a neighbor unto you ; 
They say in good old Sessex, “that sense the air is free, 
And not a cent to pay fer it, that peaches ought to be; ” 
So help yerself, I reckon they’s a-plenty and to spare, 
In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 


I like to be in Sessex in the water-millon time, 

’Cause that’s the place to git ’em ef ye want ’em in 
their prime, 

Some says the finest millon is the good old “Mountain 
Sweet,” 

And others says the ‘ ‘Rattlesnake’ ’ is ruther hard to beat, 

But the finest water-millon you must pull at early morn, 

While the dew is shinin’ on him, and you eat him in 
the corn ; 

You take him from a neighbor, who has plenty and to 
spare, 

In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 


I like to hear the fellers talk around the village store, 

Of hosses and of politics, and why the land is pore, 

Of rabbit-dogs and setter pups, and social like, you 
know— 

About your neighbors’ business, and all the debts they 
owe; 

And talk about the crops of corn, and ’bout the price 
of wheat 

And how to pickle pork, ye know, to make it fit to eat; 

And every other livin’ thing they’ll be discussin there, 

In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 


40 


I like to see the purple grapes a-hangin’ from the vines ; 
I like to hear the rabbit-dogs a-yelpin’ in the pines ; 
When the shoats are all a-thrivin’ and the turkeys 
gittin’ fat, 

With ‘ ‘possum and pertaters’ * fer yer mouth to water at, 
The boys a-gittin’ hickory-nuts, the men a-huskin corn, 
The women gittin’ dinner, and the gals to blow the horn, 
Of all the blessin’s goin’, they has got the biggest share, 
In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 

And ’long in winter evenin’s I like to stay at home, 
Around the fire and warm myself, and have the neigh¬ 
bors come, 

And talk in jest a social way about the folks you know ; 
And maybe mention one or two that’s underneath the 
snow; 

And have some meller apples then and cider jes to waste, 
With a little drop of suthin’ else to give the stuff a taste ; 
We make it out of peaches that you find a-growin there, 
In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 

I ain’t as spry as onct I was, I guess I’m gittin’ old; 
I’m pushed aside fer younger men, I ain’t no good I’m 
told; 

My boys they all has left the farm, and gone in town 
to stay; 

They pester me to sell the place, and then to move away ; 
But here alone with my old wife, I’m happy as I be, 
With all the fields, and all the flowers a-smilin’ back 
at me; 

And jest a few more years, I guess, and we will slum¬ 
ber there,— 

In good old Sessex County, down in little Delaware. 


4i 


South Milford 


W HATEVER the reasons may have been, it will 
be seen that the settlement and development 
of the town of Milford occurred first on the 
northern bank of the river. It may have been in 
consequence of there being high land along the northern 
shore of the stream, offering good advantages for 
wharves without great expense and trouble of filling in 
the marshes. Besides, the first mill was erected on this 
side; and in those days a mill was a great factor in 
developing a settlement. But much undoubtedly was 
due to the enterprise of Thorne and Oliver, who laid 
out the town in building lots, and proceeded to “boom” 
the place. 

Now if the reader will observe the location of the 
first settled part of North Milford, he will find that it 
was all on high land, so that access to the river could 
be had at all points. And here the shipping lay, and 
cargoes were received and unloaded. Consequently, in 
this vicinity the first stores were built, to carry on the 
necessary trading. But on the other side of the river, 
opposite this section, from the present bridge to the 
Milford Mills, was a stretch of marsh which offered no 
accommodation for shipping, for roads or buildings. 
The present approach to the Walnut street bridge was 
once almost bottomless mud, and the street was built 
only by corduroying the surface and by great filling in. 
This place was so bad that for many years it was 


42 




Photo, by Daugherty W. F. CAUSEY’S RESIDENCE 

(LEVIN CRAPPElt’S) 










difficult to keep a good road-bed, owing to the sinking 
of the surface into the decomposed matter below. Re¬ 
cently, in excavating at this point for a sewer, a line of 
black soil was seen at a depth of about seven feet. Here 
was the original marsh, and at this level were discov¬ 
ered some huge white-oak timbers which were un¬ 
doubtedly a part of the approach to the first drawbridge 
across the river. 

At a later day, however, when the bridge was built, 
wharves were established on the high banks farther 
down the stream on the south side. Then the great 
ship-yards sprang up in the same locality, and South 
Milford began to grow and rival her elderly sister. 

The oldest house in South Milford, if not in the 
whole town, is unquestionably Mr. William Fred¬ 
eric Causey’s. It appears that an English archi¬ 
tect named Mitchell built it for Levin Crapper, 
esquire, about 1763. Levin, (the second son of John 
Crapper, who died in Cedar Creek Hd. in 1752,) deserves 
more than a passing notice. He was evidently a 
person of no small importance in the community, for 
he was a magistrate in the days when only men of 
character could be appointed to this high office. He 
was also a vestryman of Cedar Creek church, and 
associated with Isaac Watson and Stephen Townsend 
in a conveyance-bond given to the corporation of St. 
Matthew’s by David Thornton in 1768, the year in 
which the second church of this name was built. His 
death occurred in 1775, beyond the age of three score 
and ten. Levin Crapper was the original proprietor of 
South Milford and all its environs, and is said to have 
been the wealthiest man in Sussex county at that time, 


43 


his property, including 1570 acres of land, being ap¬ 
praised] at ^30,000 (Pennsylvania currency) a large 
fortune in 1775. He left a son Molton ; another son 
Levin, who for some cause or other did not inherit 
under his father’s will; and three daughters, Amelia, 
Sarah and Leah. Sarah became the wife of Dr. James 
Rench. Leah married, 1st, John Parker, 2nd, James 
Dwiggens, 3d, Samuel Paisley. Molton succeeded 
to the greater part of the estate, but died two years 
after his father (in 1777), leaving one son, Zadoc. 
Esther, the widow of Molton Crapper, married Daniel 
Rogers, sometime Governor of Delaware, who thus 
became possessed of the mansion and farm of six hun¬ 
dred acres. His remains were interred in a private 
burying-ground on his own land a little distance west 
of the railroad station, and close to the Three-Runs 
State road which leads across the Crapper-Rogers farm 
over Spring Creek and Marshall’s mill pond, to Lewes. 
There was no reason then, why the road should run 
through Milford and by Marshall’s Mill, as neither the 
village nor dam had been built, but when the drawbridge 
was finished the place began to grow and the mill-dam 
across Spring Creek was made ; then the road from 
Dover to Lewes came through the town and over the 
dam ; the State road that formerly ran past the site of 
the town was vacated through all the farms from Mil¬ 
ford to Spring Creek, but that part of it nearest the 
Three Run cemetery is still open. 

Louder Layton, esquire, succeeded Daniel Rogers 
as owner of the mansion and farm, and he and his wife 
were living there about fifty years ago, very aged and 
gentle, and generally beloved. On the death of Mr~ 


44 


Layton the mansion and farm was bought by Peter F. 
Causey ; at that time the house was a two-story struc¬ 
ture, but the new owner at once proceeded to remodel 
and modernize the buildings as they are now, and soon 
thereafter removed to his newly-furnished abode. The 
handsome lawn on the front was then a treeless 
common; there was no railroad, nor was the dam by 
the side of the railroad embankment yet built. 

From Milford the road went up the common, pass¬ 
ing between the west end of the dwelling and the two 
brick slave quarters—still standing—out across the 
farm, southerly to “Plummer's” on the forest road ; a 
fence ran from the southwest end of the old tumbling- 
dam down the south side of the river, to Milford bridge ; 
and there was not a house on the farm, near Milford, 
except the mansion. The old spring-house at the edge 
of the river was a popular place of resort for lads and 
lasses in town, and, if one is curious to know what 
numbers frequented the spring to quaff its excellent 
water and enjoy the breeze and shade, let him, in 
passing the spring-house, look towards the mansion 
and notice the wide, deeply-worn path which was then 
shaded on each side by large red cedar trees 
now passing away from the effect of great age and 
fierce winds. 

At the southeast corner of Walnut and Second 
streets (South) is an ancient shingle-boarded two-story 
dwelling supposed to have been the home of Walker 
Sipple, as his widow, who afterwards married John R. 
Draper, lived there long after the .latter’s death. 

Under a large weeping willow about where Tatman’s 
clothing store is, used to stand for a time that no man 


45 


can tell, two one-story red houses in which Louder Lay- 
ton once kept store ; then followed B. Watson & Son. 
Later C. S. Watson & Co. carried on a heavy business 
in the same place. In those days almost every mer¬ 
chant sold liquor, and any good customer who wanted 
a drink had only to hand his glass over the counter to 
get whatever he wanted gratis. One of the old store¬ 
houses may be seen to-day from Milford bridge; it is 
the first house on the south side of the river in the rear 
of Reis & Hirsh’s cannery, now painted over with soap 
advertisements. 

The brick residence of Mrs. Hester O. Draper, on 
the north side of South Front street, was erected by 
Henry Hudson a good while ago, and in it William E. 
Jester kept store ; later John A. Hazzard lived there. 

The red house at the southwest corner of Front and 
Washington streets was built by John Hudson three or 
four generations ago, and is still owned by the family. 

If we go back as far as 1833 there were but two or 
three houses east of Mrs. Thomas Carlisle’s residence ; 
a fence ran from the river close to her house and thence 
down Carlisle Lane towards the mansion house of Rev. 
T. P. McColley; from the upper end of the Lane a 
fence extended to South Second street and thence 
down to “the point’’ on Carlisle Lane. All lands east 
were in tillage or cedar fields. The first house built on 
the field side of the street (now about the centre of 
South Milford), was erected by James N. Wooters, who 
is still living and active. 

The residence of Dr. John S. Prettyman is on the 
site of a very old one-story house, occupied by Justus 
Lowery, who demolished it and erected the pres- 

46 


ent building, which he sold to the Doctor, who has 
since greatly improved it. To the west of the above- 
named house, used to stand a small carpenter shop, 
owned by one Isaac Hudson. It subsequently came 
into possession of Captain Henry W. Laws, who built 
the residence now owned and occupied by S. N. Gray. 

About sixty years ago there stood nearly opposite the 
residence of P. F. Causey, a house too small for a dwell¬ 
ing, which had an interesting history. At that time 
there was no other building on the square except 
Martin De Waele’s brick storehouse and a frame dwell¬ 
ing, which was later removed to another street. The 
little house had at times been occupied as an office for 
justices of the peace, and as a shoe shop. It was about 
14 feet long by 8 wide, and 10 feet high. When the 
march of improvement required its site for other pur¬ 
poses it was demolished, and under the roof, scarcely a 
foot above the ceiling, was brought to light an ancient 
swinging sign board about 5 feet long and 18 inches 
wide, at one end of which was painted a man leading a 
horse to a trough, and at the other end a 
rude portrait of George III. There was certain 
lettering, which time and weather had rendered 
illegible. No doubt the old sign had swung to the 
breeze in front of the diminutive structure when England 
ruled the colonies; being on the road to Oliver’s Land¬ 
ing and only a hundred yards away, it was evidently 
the place where man and beast halted for refreshment, 
and the invitation may have read like this : 

Rest Thou Here Thy silent Steed 
Yea, And Verily Thy Weary Limbs 
Appease Thou Here Thy Inner Man: 

So Thou May’st Have The Strength 
To Pedal Thee On Thy Way. 


47 


Early in the century an oil-cloth factory stood on 
the east side of North street, near the upper end of the 
town. Of the manufacturer nothing is known. The 
building, purchased by James P. Burley and 
removed to his farm on the New Wharf road where 
Samuel Paisley lived, is still standing. 

The Haven Mills were built in 1778 by Daniel 
Rogers, and consisted of a grist-mill, carding-machine 
and saw-mill. At a later date they were owned by 
Joseph Dutton. His daughter, Elizabeth, married 
James H. McColley, who sold the concern to Peter F. 
Causey. In the decade of 1850 the grist-mill was 
destroyed by fire, and a woolen factory built on the 
site for Hoffecker Bros., of Smyrna; this was also 
burned, since which time the site has been vacant. 
The saw-mill was used by Mr. Causey till the advent of 
steam mills in Milford, when it went down and is 
now changed into an ice manufacturing plant. A 
factory for the making of husk mattresses was 
built about 1848 near the northern end of the dam, and 
operated by different parties until finally closed. Geo. 
S. Grier at first conducted the foundry and machine 
business in Benjamin Potter’s old store-house in town. 
After its destruction by fire he put up an extensive 
foundry and machine shop at Haven Mills, where he 
was rewarded with a substantial fortune. His life has 
been an active one and he is still busy. 

On South Walnut street, where the Hotel Windsor 
now stands, was, as far back as 1833, an old two-story 
brick granary belonging to Louder Layton ; the doors 
and windows were gone, and the floods from up the 
street flowed over the lower floor into the river. How 


48 



old it was nobody knew. W. N. W. Dorsey bought 
the ground and erected upon it the Hotel Windsor. 
The next building was once the second light-house 
which stood at the mouth of the Mispillion, and cost 
the government $12,000. It was discontinued by the 
government during the rebellion, for the sake of economy, 
and afterwards condemned and sold to Dorsey, who 
rebuilt it into two stores, now the property of Dr. Wm. 
Marshall. 

On the corner there stood for many years a black¬ 
smith shop, purchased finally by James H. Deputy, 
who built on the ground the present brick store. The 
adjoining house was the cabinet-makers’ shop of James 
Ward, grandfather of our town bailiff. The unpainted 
dwelling, South Front St., near Washington, was owned 
by John Campbell, and for many years occupied by his 
brother-in-law, Nutter Eofland, at a ground rent of $20 
per annum. Thomas Davis received a deed for the 
property in consideration of the payment of arrears of 
this tax. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Carlisle’s house was built by a 
ship-carpenter named West. Notwithstanding its age, 
the weather-boarding of cypress shingles, shows little 
of the effects of time. 


49 


From New Castle to Lewes 

THE KING'S HIGHWAY 


IDING down to Lewes 
On the King’s highway, 

Skirting creeks and rivulets, 
Winding to the Bay; 

Through the somber forest shades— 
Thickets wild with bloom, 

Where the sweet magnolia 
Revels in perfume, 

While the thrush and mocking-bird 
Carol all the day— 

Riding down to Lewes 
On the King’s highway. 

What a motley company ! 

See them riding here ; 
Sober-visaged Puritan, 

Haughty cavalier, 

Swede and Fin of sunny hair 
Patient plodding Dutch,— 

What a goodly company ; 

Saw you ever such ? 

Some bedecked in colors bright 
Some in sober gray— 

Riding down to Lewes 
On the King’s highway. 


50 


Photo, by Daugherty A BIT OF THE KING’S.HIGH WAY P- 50 

(From Presbyterian Branch) 







































































■r - ..... . 





? 












































































































































































Not a settlement they see, 

Not a human face, 

Save the dusky native sons 
Of an ancient race,— 

O’er the winding Motherkill 
Southward passing on 
To the limped waters of 
The “Musquelion.” 

Was there ever cavalcade 
Dres’t in such array ? 

Riding down to Lewes 
On the King’s highway ? 

See them plunging in the stream, 
Where it stretches wide ; 

Where the lilies rise and fall, 

Lifting to the tide. 

Listening to the bugle note 
Of the whip-poor-will, 

Calling to his drowsy mate 
Just across the hill. 

O’er a dreary stretch of sand, 

Over banks of clay,— 

Riding down to Lewes 
On the King’s highway. 

Centuries have intervened 
Since we saw them pass ; 

Onward through the deepening shade 
They have gone, alas ! 

Puritan and Cavalier, 

Sturdy Dutch and Swede, 


5i 


Lost within the gloom of years— 

How the moments speed ! 

Soon we’ll rise and follow them ; 

Where the shadows lay, 

Riding through the gloaming 
On the King’s highway. 

—G. B. H. 


The history of a people gathers around their high¬ 
ways. They arise as necessities, and over them flows 
the tide of human travel. They are the veins and 
arteries of the commonwealth, and along them pulses 
the life and activity of the people. Ascertain where 
these lines of travel were placed, their changes and 
additions, and a tale of settlement and development is 
already told. 

Some roads are built because of the necessity of 
communication between towns and villages, between 
farms and mills. Others precede these settlements and 
have for their object the encouragement of immigration 
and the developement of a country. At times a path¬ 
way, resulting almost from accident develops into a 
street, along which houses and other buildings are 
constructed, and in time this may become a splendid 
avenue in a metropolis. 

Some one with fertile fancy has traced the laying- 
out of Broadway, N. Y. City, to the straying of a calf 
from its mother. She followed along its track, and the 
fishermen and farmers used the broken path thus made 
until it became the line, of travel. 

But the King’s highway from Lewes to New Castle 


52 



had a different origin, and looking back over the inter¬ 
vening years we may see the reasons for its construction 
and why it was located just as it was. The two first 
settlements along the eastern part of the Peninsula were 
at Hoorn Kill (Lewes) and New Amstel (New Castle). 
Between these two points was an unbroken wilderness, 
covered with dense forests and an undergrowth of 
tangled briars and bushes. Through these thickets the 
foot of the white man had never passed. Among the den¬ 
ser growths, wild animals prowled; the wolves especially 
being a menace to the unwary traveler who skirted the 
unknown regions. The Indians, too, roamed through 
the forests, and had their camps in the clearer spaces. 
The woods abounded in game and the rivers and creeks 
were plentifully supplied with fish; and thus their 
simple wants were easily supplied. But their favorite 
gathering places were along the shores of the bay and 
ocean, near the mouths of the various tributaries. This 
is evidenced by the piles of clam and oyster shells at 
various points along the coast. The Indians of the 
Peninsula were a mild people, without the warlike, 
aggressive nature of some of the mountain tribes towards 
the west. 

It was not long after these two points had been 
settled that- communication between them became 
necessary. This at first was accomplished by a mes¬ 
senger with his attendants pushing through the wilder¬ 
ness, skirting the banks of streams and fording others 
and reaching his destination only after innumerable 
vicissitudes. 

Some time prior to the year 1700, a highway 
connecting these two points was laid out. It was 


53 


probably done under the direction of William Penn and 
at his instance, and is about contemporaneous with the 
laying out of Philadelphia. Looking back over the 
intervening space and remembering the condition of 
the country at that time, we are able to see how 
the road came to be located as it was. It did not 
pass farther to the north, nor again bend to the east 
for the obvious reason that the intention was to 
connect the two points by the most direct route; 
hence it became necessary to skirt as nearly as pos¬ 
sible, the shores of the bay. But all along that body 
were tributaries, many of which were too deep to ford, 
and, besides this, on either side were wide stretches of 
marsh, difficult to cross. The result was that the road 
was laid out skirting the head waters of these streams, 
and bending to the west only when it became 
necessary to avoid some impassable body of water or 
marsh land. 

Just when this highway was laid out is lost in 
obscurity, but certainly it dates back beyond 1700, and 
therefore it was the line of traffic down the Peninsula 
at least two hundred years ago. Probably at first it 
was only a bridle-path that in time was straightened 
and graded for the rude vehicles of the period. 

The present state road follows it in part, but the 
location has been changed from time to time to connect 
with towns and villages that have since sprung up ; and, 
besides, the building of bridges has made it advisable 
to cut off certain loops that were originally made to 
avoid deep streams and stretches of marsh. 

Beginning with Marshall’s Mill we find that the 
highway crossed some distance up the creek beyond 


54 


the present dam. Then, of course, there was no pond 
there and the stream was easily fordable. From this 
point it took almost a straight course to the south bank 
of what is now the pond by the Milford railroad station. 
In later years—from seventy-five to a hundred years 
after—the first house was built on this section of road ; 
the mansion of Levin Crapper. The highway ran some 
distance to the south of this and of the present 
station. The house fronted on the road, and to the 
rear was meadow-land running down to the marsh. 
When in years later, the bridge was built, bringing the 
road across the river, the highway along the south was 
abandoned, and what was formerly the rear of the 
.dwelling became its front. After reaching 
a point at the south side of the present mill-pond (then 
a cripple through which the narrow stream ran) the 
highway followed the line of the present road along 
the “Three-runs," and upon its borders in later years 
the old Presbyterian meeting-house was built. When 
it reached a point of what is now the dam at the Haven 
Mills it crossed at some distance to the west of this 
embankment. The creek here, too, was then undammed, 
and easily forded. This point at the head of the stream 
was selected to avoid the deeper waters below. 

In the basin of the pond are stumps and logs which 
in those days were flourishing trees. When the water 
is low, these may be seen, as may also the site of the 
former highway. Thence to the north the highway 
crossed the farm on which Sydenham Tborne erected 
the first house in that neighborhood; then across 
Tanner’s branch, where its location may yet be seen, 
passing through the Gardner farm, now the property of 


55 


Mrs. Roudebush. On the farm of J. J. Rosa one may 
notice the old Quaker burying-ground, located there in 
colonial days on the side of the road opposite to the 
meeting-house. It will be seen that the churches and 
burial-places were laid out along the first line of travel. 

The old road continued to the north, passing over 
the spot on which Mr. Rosa’s house now stands, and to 
the east of the residence on the Snell farm; thence 
onward through the woods over the site of the race 
track. It followed this general direction, crossing to 
the west of the Tub-Mill pond, then only a branch, and 
coming out to the road across the lands of the Potter 
estate. 

It followed the same course as the state road to a 
point at the corner of the Bye farm, whence it passed 
across the farm of the late Robert Stevenson, and the 
lands of Paris T. Carlisle to the Murderkill, There a 
drawbridge was erected. This became necessary be¬ 
cause to pass around the head waters of the stream 
would bring the road too far west, since the stream was 
so deep that vessels in later years, loaded and discharged 
cargoes regularly at Fork Landing and McColley’s 
Mill; Frederica had not been built. At this point on 
the Murderkill the shores were of comparatively high 
land, and as a bridge was necessary, here it was built. 

The section of the river at this point is now cut off 
by a canal, but some of the old timbers of the bridge 
yet remain. A few hundred yards south of the stream, 
on the line of the old road, stood a tavern, the remains 
of which are yet apparent. On this site, a number of 
years since, the writer found a colonial coin, doubtless 
spent by some pre-revolutionary reveller for whiskey. 


56 


Crossing the river, the road leads through the land now 
owned by Wm. E. Davis and on to the north. Proba¬ 
bly after it had been a public highway for more than a 
hundred years, the Methodists built a chapel on the 
ground given by one Barratt. This was at the west of 
the highway, and the old burial-ground was on the 
same side. When in later years the causeways on 
either side of Frederica were built, the road was 
changed, and turned to the west, where it is to-day. 
What is now the front of the chapel was formerly the 
rear. 

This is a sketch of the old King’s highway ; how 
su gg e stive of our early beginnings ! The traveler 
riding down to the south beheld an unbroken wilder¬ 
ness of tree, blossom and thorn, where the birds flitted 
among the trees, and rabbits and squirrels scampered 
across the road-way, all unconscious of the terrors of 
gunpowder. And he who would trace the history of 
our settlement and development may cast his eyes 
backwards over a space of two hundred years and see 
his ancestors, English and Dutch and Swede and Fin, 
riding down the King’s highway. 


57 


The Mispillion River 

A CCORDING to the most authentic information 
we have of the discovery of the Delaware Bay, 
the river Delaware and Mispillion creek, and 
the settlement on the south shores of the first 
two named, Henry Hudson, an English navigator, 
entered the capes, August 28, 1609, and one year later 
Lord De-la-Ware (lord-of-the-war) also an English¬ 
man,sailing up,discovered the bay and river ; from him 
the name ‘ ‘ Delaware’ ’ being derived. Hudson, it seems, 
had been deterred from proceeding up the bay by 
the sand bars and shallow waters. The name ‘‘Mis¬ 
pillion,” as applied to the creek and hundred, is lost 
in obscurity. It is true, that locally, the creek was orig¬ 
inally called the ‘ ‘Big Muskmillin, ’ ’ and a small stream, 
about four hundred yards south of it, was called ‘‘Little 
Muskmillin ; ’ ’ but no doubt this was a provincialism— 
a corruption of the word Mispillion—for the name is 
as old as the history of this section, and no person 
living knows its origin. In former days it was written 
and pronounced in various ways ; but since the Revo¬ 
lution it has been spelled as at present. There is a 
letter extant from Col. Hazlett, of Revolutionary fame, 
in which he wrote to General Washington that there 
was an opportunity for recruiting soldiers in “Mispil¬ 
lion Bottom.” Col. Hazlett went to the war of the 
Revolution from his farm about a mile north of this 
town. 


58 


During the session of the Legislature for the year 
1891 there were several bills introduced changing the 
names of the creeks to rivers. The idea was to make 
a better showing before the River and Harbor Com¬ 
mittee of Congress in order to secure appropriations. 
Thus the name Mispillion creek was officially changed 
to “Mispillion river,” and by this name it will hence¬ 
forward be designated. 

Efforts were made by the Dutch to settle the shores 
of the Delaware bay and river until 1623, when a ves¬ 
sel load of emigrants from Holland came over under 
the charge of Cornelius May. He settled at a point 
near Gloucester, N. J., and was the first European to 
sail up the Delaware river and to make a settlement on 
its shores. The Dutch came before the Swedes, but 
the Indians utterly exterminated them in lower Dela¬ 
ware. Then the Swedes and Fins got a footing and 
remained. 

Cornelius May's company scattered; some went to 
Manhattan Island (New York), others settled along 
the water, and, being on friendly terms with the 
Indians, were not molested. Cape May, N. J., takes 
its name from this man, the father of Captain Henry 
May and his brother Thomas, both among the earliest 
residents of this town. At the beginning of the century 
Capt. May married a daughter of George Black, at that 
time the owner of all the land from Milford to Marsh¬ 
all’s Mill. 

As to who first discovered the Mispillion Creek, 
Ferris History of the original settlements on the Dela¬ 
ware, says . “Acrelius states that the ‘Key Colmar’ 
and the ‘Griffin,’ having on board the first Swedish 


59 


Colony that settled on the Delaware, sailed from Got- 
tenburg, on the west coast of Sweden, and reasons 
have been given for the opinion that it arrived at the 
Christiana (New Castle County) in 1639.” 

“Having passed the capes and sailed up the bay* 
they came to a point of land jutting into the broad 
expanse of its waters [this is now ‘Clark’s Point’], on 
which they landed for observation and refreshments. 
By Windstorm’s Map of the Delaware and adjacent 
country, preserved and published by Campanius, it 
appears that this point was the same which is now 
(261 years later) called ‘Mispillion Point.’ It was 
probably in the season when the bursting foliage of 
our trees and shrubs and the opening wild flowers of 
our meadows and woodlands filled the air with perfume; 
and the feathered community enlivened it with their 
music. After a long and tedious imprisonment in the 
narrow confines of a ship, they must have been delighted 
to land on this beautiful shore, and enjoy for the mo¬ 
ment the freshness and fragrance of the opening year. 
That it was so, we have evidence in the fact that 
they named it ‘Paradise Point.’ ” 

It must be borne in mind that the mouth of the 
Mispillion and environs have greatly changed since 
261 years ago, when the ocean tossed voyagers passed 
the entrance of our creek to cast anchor and recreate at 
Paradise Point, only a mile and a half above what is 
now known on the maps of the U. S. Coast Survey as 
“Clark’s Point” (named, possibly, in compliment to 
Thomas Clark, who kept the Thorne Point House in 
1836, about the time the survey was made, when there 
was no other tavern between Bowers’ and Wewes). 


60 






































* 

































A GLIMPSE OF SILVER LAKE 



p. 61 


Photos, by Daugherty 


OLD DAM ON THREE RUNS 






We are informed by credible authority that the 
mouth of Mispillion creek once entered the bay fully 
200 yards further out than it does at present. The 
beach was close to a bar, formed by the waters of a 
deep and crooked stream called “Strunkill”, which 
flowed through the island and into the bay, just above 
the light-house, carrying the sands and forming shoals; 
just as Cedar creek bar was made by the creek running 
over the beach. The bars remain, but the streams are 
filled and grown up till no trace of them exists where, 
within the knowledge of men now living, vessels used 
to sail. 

The Mispillion is a bold, wide stream for most of 
its length, which is about twenty miles from the light¬ 
house to Milford ; its very crooks are an advantage, as 
they enable it to touch the front of most of the farms 
all the way up. There were for many years a half- 
dozen troublesome shoals, but, through government 
appropriations and money contributed by our public 
spirited merchants these have all been dredged to ample 
depth, so that neither steam nor sail vessels are delayed 
anywhere till they reach the bay. 

All the mill ponds were then swamps, and the 
causeway and its surroundings, must have looked much 
like the Frederica causeway does to-day. The first 
mill dam was built by Sydenham Thorne in 1787 ; it is 
known to-day as the old dam. The second was at 
the Haven Mills, built by Daniel Rogers, in 1788. 
The third at “Riggs* Little Mill.” The fourth at 
4 ‘Riggs’ Big Mill.” The fifth at Nathaniel H. 
Johnson’s mill. The sixth dam was built by Peter F. 


61 


Causey, from the south end of Lake street to near the 
railroad station. 

The first bridge was probably at the Three-Runs 
causeway ; the next was the draw-bridge at Milford ; 
the third, the waste gates in the old dam; then the 
waste gates in Causey’s dam, the bridge on Railroad 
avenue, and the iron bridge at the west end of South 
Front street. 

The bottom of Mispillion creek is black mud, which 
may account for the excellence of the shad caught in 
it. There are seven or eight fisheries on the creek, 
and large quantities are caught in gill-seines. Since 
the U. S. Fish Commission began stocking our streams 
with shad roe, the shad are much larger than formerly, 
as well as more plentiful. 

The salt water part of the creek used to be thickly 
populated with diamond back terrapin ; dozens were 
caught whenever a seine was hauled for other fish, and 
so little were they thought of as food that many fisher¬ 
men fifty years ago threw them back into the stream. 
The diamond back is getting scarcer every year, and if 
measures are not taken for their protection against the 
menhaden fishermen, it is feared this species will be 
utterly exhausted. 


62 


Farming in Delaware, Ancient and 


Modem 



He pioneers of this region came of a hardy race, 


and generally, of Anglo-Saxon origin. The 


The immediate successors of the Indians were 
the Swedes and Fins, and later the Dutch. 

After the advent of William Penn, emigration from 
the mother country was encouraged; and that the 
greater proportion of the inhabitants were of English 
extraction is attested by the fact that that the first 
religious bodies were those peculiar to the English 
people. Besides, the names of those pioneers trans¬ 
mitted to the present generation, are those of the 
mother country. 

The Dutch settlers at Lewes have not left behind a 
savory reputation, and if the traditions are correct, we 
need not much regret the extermination of that band of 
freebooters. But it is certain that the settlers of 
English blood were a thrifty, god-fearing people, who 
came, not for conquest, nor for gold, but to take up 
land, lay out farms and establish orderly communities. 
They were farmers and not ordinary adventurers. As 
their towns sprang into existence, one by one they left 
the farms to man the craft plying up and down the 
creeks and bay, to engage in mercantile pursuits or to 
enter the professions. But the finest tribute we may 
bestow, is that most of them were farmers and that all 
descended from the farm. 


63 


First, a few adventurous men pushed through the 
wilderness and discovered the country’s possibilities. 
Soon bridle-paths, avoiding the thickets, the deep 
streams and marshes, began to be made, and finally the 
king’s highway was laid out from New Castle to Lewes. 
Along this road the pioneers came on horseback, the 
whole of their worldly possessions in their saddle-bags. 
There were no lumbering vehicles then ; the young 
bride rode beside her husband, or perhaps both rode 
one animal, walking at times to relieve the beast. 
Others came afoot, making their camps at night in the 
woods, and building great fires to frighten away the 
wolves. When they reached some friendly spot on the 
rivers where they might look out to the sea and dream 
of the far-away mother country, they proceeded to 
bargain with the Indians, tether their horses, and carve 
a home out of the wilderness. 

The first lands taken up were on the navigable 
waters, and at times families would join and settle on 
adjacent territory, but as a rule the neighbors were few, 
and the visit of a white man of rare occurrence. The 
newcomers cleared a space of trees, from which they 
fashioned their log-houses of a single story. In time 
their tiny barns were made in the same fashion, and 
with a little clearing for corn and a few vegetables, the 
home was complete. 

The settlers were' evidently on friendly terms with 
the Indians, since, after the massacre at Lewes, there 
are no records or traditions of further difficulties. 
Doubtless they were actuated by the peaceful ideas of 
William Penn, who set the example of securing lands 
by treaty and purchase, and not by conquest. Cer- 



tainly their relations with the natives must have been 
amicable, as the massacres of Pennsylvania, and the 
wars of New England and Virginia were not repeated. 
This is to the credit of our ancestors and of the Indians. 

It was not many years till rumbling ox-wagons 
began to come down the highway and over from the 
eastern shore. These brought worldly goods in 
greater quantities, and the women and children were 
sometimes crowded in with the rude utensils of the 
period. The men, perhaps, drove a few cattle and sheep, 
and with these they made an auspicious beginning. 
They came supplied with the seeds of those crops they 
expected to cultivate, and brought with them all their 
possessions, since they did not expect to return. 

Horses, cattle and hogs were turned out to com¬ 
mons, and the marsh lands were especially prized for 
pasturage ; oxen were used for tilling the farms, and 
hogs furnished the principal meat. The streams 
abounded in fish, the forests were full of game, and 
oysters and clams were plentifulalong the bay ; corn 
was cultivated largely, and soon began to be exported, 
but wheat was a scarcer article, and only grown in 
small patches. Flax was raised at an early date, and our 
ancestors became adept in spinning and weaving it into 
various useful garments. Their greatest pride was in 
the beautiful patterns and fine texture of their work. 
Many a spread or table-cloth of that period could not 
now 7 be duplicated by our great factories. From their 
sheep they sheared wool for their winter garments, 
and, this mixed with flax, produced the celebrated 
linsey-wolsey, a cloth which our ancestors w r ore exten¬ 
sively. 


65 


The hogs, which ran at large, were branded in 
order that each owner might know his own. At times 
disputes as to certain brands waxed warm, and fur¬ 
nished occasion for some of the earliest law-suits. 
There were no schools at first, and of course, no 
preaching; the parents occasionally imparted instruc¬ 
tion, but many people grew up in ignorance. The edu¬ 
cational standard was low, and the necessity for 
instruction had not become apparent. 

The pioneers had to battle with adverse conditions 
such as we can scarcely imagine, for everything of 
difficult workmanship must be brought across the 
water. All kinds of cutlery were supplied from 
England, but the prices were so high in proportion to 
their means, that only the absolutely necessary articles 
were purchased. Think of building houses and barns 
and fences with wooden pins ! And yet this is what 
they were at first compelled to do, since nails had 
either to be imported, or made by hand. Even when 
rude saw-mills were set up along the streams, the saws 
had to be imported. 

Plowing must have been a laborious performance 
with the implements then in use. They were of home 
manufacture, and mostly of wood. Some local black¬ 
smith tipped the points and shears with iron ; and then 
with a lumbering yoke of oxen the farmer rooted 
among the stumps and briars. The harrows, too, were 
the work of the local carpenters and blacksmiths. 

There was little money used during the colonial 
period, and local transactions were accomplished 
largely by an exchange of articles. And while they 
sent their grain and furs to the city markets and were 


66 


paid in coin of the realm or its equivalent, the most of 
this money never came to the peninsula, but was. 
exchanged for return cargoes. 

At the time of the Revolution a decided advance 
had been made. There were saw-mills and grist-mills. 
To secure power for these, the streams were dammed, 
and the old-fashioned wheels employed which used, or 
wasted, an immense quantity of water. Frame houses 
began to be built, and several mansions of brick were 
constructed. The latter material, in some cases, may 
have been brought from England or Holland, used as 
ballast for the return voyages of our freighters. Still, 
judged from the present standpoint, the life was primi¬ 
tive. 

The public travel was by stage-coach, which also 
carried the mails, but on account of the expense for 
postage, these were limited. Between the farms were 
great areas of woodland, and the roads often ran 
through long stretches of commons. There were but 
few villages of any importance in the state, and the 
occasional wayside tavern furnished the only accom¬ 
modation for man and beast. The typical mode of 
conveyance was the ox-cart, and this vehicle, if 
such it may be called, yet lingers in parts 
of Sussex county; but in early days it was the 
only means of conveyance, save by horse-back. 
The carts lumbered over the rude roads, crossings 
streams, and plowing through sloughs of sand to mill, 
where they waited for their meagre grist; to the land¬ 
ings with their loads of corn ; and at times to church. 

The plutocrats of those days owned slaves wha 
occupied quarters especially provided for them. But 


67 


fortunately for the State, slaveholding was not general, 
and so the people learned to depend upon their own 
efforts ; there was no idle population. 

The conditions of farming did not materially change 
until about fifty years ago. While the farms were 
larger and the houses better, the same crops were 
raised as before, and tilled in the same rude manner. 
Changes began to take place in methods of conveyance; 
the local blacksmiths and wheelwrights having learned 
skill in building riding vehicles. The ox-carts gave 
place to wagons, and now the farmers might be seen in 
trim rigs riding to town or to church. Plows began to 
be cast in the foundries, and proved a blessing to 
those who were compelled to use them. 

About this time the peach tree was introduced. 
At first peaches were what we term “natural” fruit, 
but a few growers began to send their product to 
Philadelphia. The method of shipping was crude, the 
fruit being stored in the holds of vessels, and most of 
it spoiled ere it reached its destination. But there 
were still no riding-cultivators, no corn-planters, 
reapers nor horse-rakes. To mow a field with a scythe 
and to rake it by hand, w r as a task involving hard 
labor, and the only recompense was that the acreage 
was usually small and the grass or grain light. Then 
how to revive worn-out lands was a problem; hedge¬ 
rows were skimmed, ponds scraped for decomposed 
matter, and fish were hauled from the bay for fertilizing 
purposes. But some of the more enterprising began to 
bring in guano and lime to spread over the impoverished 
soil, and when clover was introduced, a new term of 
productiveness was given to many acres of discarded land. 

68 


Raising fruit and vegetables for the city markets 
was yet unpracticed. Fruit was confined almost ex¬ 
clusively to a few seedling peach trees, cherry trees, 
and small apple orchards, for the apple paid com mercially 
when manufactured into brandy. There were no 
strawberries but the wild ones which grew by the 
roadside or on the commons. Tomatoes (“love ap¬ 
ples”) were garden ornaments, and grew along side 
of hollyhocks, love-entangle and thyme. Corn and 
wheat were the staple articles, and garden truck 
received little attention, as it was considered rather a 
luxury than a substantial food. 

The farmers were spartan in their frugality. Wheat 
bread was to be indulged in only on state occasions, 
corn being the basis of their food. For meats, they 
raised hogs, and pickled trout (weak fish) which were 
caught in the bay. Oysters and clams were taken in 
large quantities during the leisure seasons of the fall 
and winter. All clothing was made at home, but 
people were often scantily dressed. Many never put 
on overcoats, and scorned to wear under-clothing, even 
in the coldest weather. 

The educational advantages were not many, and the 
children could attend school only at those seasons 
when it was not possible to work. The teacher was 
usually chosen for his powers as a disciplinarian. His 
education might be limited, but his ability to use the 
rod must be unquestioned. All the children worked, 
often at tasks beyond their years, and a man with a 
large family was envied as having so much invested 
capital that would pay handsomely. People married 


69 


young, and began to carve out their fortunes without 
anything, save health and energy as a start. 

Now at the close of the century we can look back 
and admire their self-denial and enthusiasm, but we 
cannot envy them. With our rich farms, diversified 
crops and. ingenious implements; with comfortable 
and even luxurious farm houses ; with pianos in the 
parlor, and self-binders in the fields, and the children 
in attendance at good schools, we are thankful for life 
in the present. 

Yet the conditions are not yet all we desire, and the 
farmer meets with his disappointments, pays his rent 
and taxes if he can, and is gathered to his fathers with¬ 
out having led a life of hilarity. His tribulations are 
considered in the following lines : 

ODE TO THE JOLLY FARMER 

The winter it came on so severe 
That he laid in wood for to last a year ; 

But he ran clear out ere the new year come, 

So he stood in the snow while he cut up some. 

His old hoss died and his cow went dry, 

And his pumpkins froze that he’d saved for pie ; 

The poultry died—and he had a lot— 

He saved a few, which the darkies got. 

His old pump froze till it wan’t no use, 

It split wide open when he broke it loose. 

It got so cold that the peach buds died, 

The frost killed all and the trees beside ; 

He didn’t rave and he didn’t curse 
’Cause you see,” he said, “it might be worse.” 


70 


When spring came on, why he wasn’t cross, 

He borrowed a plow and he borrowed a boss ; 

He planted some peas that never would sprout, 

So he hitched up his hoss and he plowed ’em out. 
Then he planted corn, but it tried to rot, 

And what came up why the crows they got. 

He planted his taters like other men, 

And the bugs, you bet, had a pic-nic then, 

And worms, and bugs, and flies, oh my ! 

They wriggled and swarmed as he went by. 

His watermelons when they came on, 

They all went the way his hens had gone, 

Still he had good health, and he had the soil, 

And he thanked the Lord for a chance to toil. 

His wheat took fly and then took smut, 

But he got some straw when the stuff was cut. 

He didn’t swear and he didn’t frown 

When his friends from the city they all came down ; 

He took them in and he seemed content 

When the landlord took all the rest for rent. 

And how did he live ? Why he didn’t, you see,— 
Like the moss and stuff that clings to a tree— 

The oak may thrive till its days are done, 

But the moss doesn't live , it just hangs on ! 

Then here’s to the farmer so happy and free, 

That city folks envy and visit, you see : 

Yes, here’s to the farmer, our patriot king ; 

Who toils and who sweats for the fun of the thing. 

—G. B. H. 


7i 


An Ancient Burial Ground 


O N the elevated shore of the Mispillion, at a 
point where the stream widens into a pictur¬ 
esque lake, dotted with green islets and bor¬ 
dered by sloping wooded shores, is a large and 
beautifully located plantation. It had formerly belonged 
to George Cullen, and after his death was purchased of 
his executor, in 1785, for ^825, by the Rev. Sydenham, 
Thorne, a clergyman of the Church of England, who 
ten years earlier had come from the Eastern Shore of 
Virginia (as was supposed), and settled near the 
‘ ‘Savannah, ’ ’ as the rector of Christ Church, Mispillion. 
It was he who built the house with duplicate wings, as 
we now see it; in front reserving space for a park, 
which is now delightfully shaded with oak and maple 
trees. 

The whole situation bears a striking resemblance to 
the famous “Shirley” plantation at Aikins’ landing, 
below Richmond, on the James River, except that the 
bold height and expanse of Shirley is lacking. What¬ 
ever Parson Thorne did seems to have been with a kind 
of poetic regard for old English ideas. 

On the west side of the mansion is a lot sixty or 
seventy feet square, inclosed by a rough stone wall, 
which now sadly shows the effects of age. It was 
the burial place for more than half a century of those 
who had owned the farm. 

About 1787 Mr. Thorne was instrumental in build- 


72 


Photo, by Daugherty AN ANCIENT BURIAL GROUND p. 72 

























































4 











4 


» 










ing the Episcopal Church here, on a lot given for the 
purpose by Joseph Oliver, who owned all the land on 
what is now the town of North Milford. 

It was related by an aged gentlewoman who died in 
Milford about twenty-five years ago, and who knew 
the parson, that Thorne was a man of distinguished 
appearance, gentle manners and much influence for 
good in the community ; all that can be learned of him 
serves to confirm this favorable testimony. His 
remains are resting in the little private burying-ground 
fifty yards north of the house, beneath a plain marble 
tablet on which is inscribed the following epitaph, done 
in the ornate style of the period : 

Sacred to the memory of 

THE REV. SYDENHAM THORNE. 

By the elegance and affability of his manners, 

By the diffusive benevolence of his heart, 
and especially 

By the zeal and ability he displayed as 
a Preacher of the Gospel, 

He endeared himself to his Parishioners, 

To his friends and to all who came within the 
sphere of his acquaintance. 

He was born on the 28th day of October, 
in the year of 1747, 
and departed this life on the 
13th day of February, 1794, 
aged 45 years. 

The brick work supporting the stone over the 
grave is fast falling to decay, and rank vegetation ob¬ 
scures the sepulchre, but here he sleeps in peace amid 
the scenes he loved so well; the wilderness growing 
over his grave and the mocking birds carolling their 
wild melody. 


73 


The remains of Joseph Oliver, the pioneer of Milford, 
and friend of Thorne, were first interred in his own 
family burial-ground, but afterwards removed to a 
grave touching the west wall of Christ Church. 

The tombstone bears this inscription : 

In memory of 
JOSEPH O LIVE K 
who departed this life February 29th 
at twenty minutes to seven la the morning 
In the year of our Lord 1807 
Aged about 80 years. 


The Thorne property was inherited by his nephew, 
Peter Caverly, and under the epitaph of the parson, is 
this inscription to a child, supposed to be a son of 
Caverly: 

"Also SYDENHAM THORNS 
who was horn on the 3rd of December. 1796 
and died on the — of April. 1797 
Aged 3 mos. and 11 days.” 


On the north side of the minister’s vault is a plain 
tombstone to a young man who was evidently a 
member of his family. It reads : 

"In memory of 
THOMAS PARKER 
son of Thomas and Elizabeth, 
of Accomac county. Eastern Shore. Virginia 
who was born December l»th. 1797. 
and died Oct. 2nd. 191A” 

As the lad was the son of eastern shore Virginians, 
it would seem that this is the part of Virginia from 
which Mr. Thorne came. 


The only other monument in the inclosure is not 


74 





the least as relates to distinguished persons. It is to 
the memory of James Clayton, the father of the dis¬ 
tinguished statesman, John M. Clayton, of Delaware; 
his wife, Sarah Clayton, and her mother, Elizabeth 
Middleton. Also his daughter, Elizabeth Clayton, 
who was celebrated in this community for her beauty 
and accomplishments. 

The monument is a plain white marble shaft, 
inscribed on the four sides. On the south front is : 

This monument was erected by 
JOHN M. CLAYTON 
to the memory of his father, 

JAMES CLAYTON 
and the members of his family 
whose remains are burled within the 
walls which surround It. 

James Clayton was born In Kent County, Delaware, 

March 24th, 17til 

and died In his mansion house on thl3 farm 
November 24th. 1820. 

Aged 59 years, 8 months. 

He was the son of James 
who w as the son of John 
who was the son of Joshua Clayton, 
one of the first settlers of this country 
to which lie emigrated from England with 

William Penn at the time of his first visit to America. 

On the east side is a tribute to his sterling worth 
and character. 

The north side is inscribed : 

The remains of 
SARAH CLAYTON 

the wife of James Clayton are here burled by his side, 
she was born March 18th, 1774, 
near Annapolis, Maryland, 
and died at the home of her son, 

John M, Clayton, In Dover. Delaware, 
oa the 23rd of June, 1829 


75 


Aged 55 years, 3 mos, and 15 days 
As a wife, a mother and a sincere Christian 
she was without reproach. 

And on the west front is this : 

Near this monument are burled the mortal remains ol 
ELIZABETH MIDDLETON 
the mother of Sarah the wife of James Clayton, 
She was born December 30th. 1745, 
and died August 18th, 1811, 

In the 66 th year of her age- 

Then follows this: 

Near her remains are burled those of 
ELIZABETH CLAYTON 
the daughter of James and Sarah Clayton, 
who was born September 12th, 18G1 
and died March 5 th, 1822 
In the 21st year of her age. 


After Mr. Clayton’s death Col. Benjamin Potter- 
bought the mansion farm and removed thereto. 

A few paces from the inclosure is the burial-ground 
of the Potter family. There are five tablets on brick 
foundations. The first is inscribed : 

“In memory of 

COL. BENJAMIN POTTER 

who departed this life 
October 1st. 1843 
Aged about 74 years 

Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted, 

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy. 

Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you 
And say all manner of evil agiinst you falsely, for my sake, 

Rejoice and be exceeding glad for gre it is your reward 
In Heaven, for so persecuted they the Prophets 
which were before you 
Adieu.” 

The next tomb is that of his wife, having this 
epitaph: 


76 



ELIZABETH POTTER 


wlio died January 18th, D3S, 

Aged 76 years 
Tliougn dead to the world, 

She will live In the hearts ot all who knew her. 

Col. Potter’s daughter, said to have been a very 
handsome woman, rests next to her mother. 

Sacred to the memory of 
MRS. MARIA HALL WILLIAMS 
daughter of Col. Benjamin and Elizabeth Potter 
and wife of Reynear Williams, all of Milford, Delaware, 
who was born February 7th, 1796 
and died May if>th, 1814. 

Near his sister are the mortal remains of Edmund 
S. Potter. His epitaph reads . 

In melancholy rememberance of 
EDMUND S. POTTER 

son of Col. Benjamin and Elizabeth Potter 
who was born December 18th, 1792 
and died February 3rd, 1832. 

The last tomb is that of Dr. Benjamin Potter, Col. 
Potter’s nephew, who married Miss Mary E. Fidde- 
man, daughter of the late Col. H. B. Fiddeinan. This 
is the inscription : 

To my beloved Husband 
DOCTOR BENJAMIN POTTER 
Born August, 1S32 
and died May 30, 185S 
Aged 25 years, 9 mos. and 14 days 
“For now we see through a glass darkly, 
but then face to face.” 

1 cor., 13 chap., 12 verse. 


77 




Business and Business Men of Our Town 
in the Past 


B USINESS, as at present conducted, is a great 
improvement on the methods of the past; then, the 
credit system was the rule, now credit is given 
charily and for a specified time, while formerly it was 
unlimited. The consequence was that many 
debtors pleaded the Act of Limitation; suing was 
common, and often the merchant lost the debt and 
interest, and had to pay the costs. Then, the mer¬ 
chant went to the city to “lay in stock” three or four 
times a year, an event talked over for weeks beforehand. 
He sometimes traveled by the mail-stage, and at 
others by sail vessels, and were often absent for weeks. 

The circulating medium was agricultural products ; 
black oak, quercitron, iron ore, cord-wood, spokes, 
staves, eggs, etc. The eggs were packed with oats 
in flour barrels, and shipped to Philadelphia on sail 
vessels, which were often delayed on the flats for a week 
or more, and if the weather was hot the eggs and oats 
had a warm time. Therefore when the consignee 
received them a large part was objected to, yet there 
was generally a profit, as the price paid here was often 
as low as six and a-quarter to eight cents per dozen. 
Want of quick transportation kept the price down. 

All merchants issued due bills payable in goods. If 
a merchant was out of an article he gave his customer 


78 


a due bill to take to another merchant, who accepted 
it readily for what was wanted ; due bills passed at par, 
but compared with cash the purchasing value was 
less; merchants were naturally indisposed to receive 
even their own due bills for book accounts and other 
indebtedness, because they needed cash and because 
the due bills were payable in goods only. No standard 
of value was thought of; no American silver had been 
coined. All the silver in circulation came from Mexico 
or Spain ; the coins were of the denomination of 6 % 
cents (a fip), cents (a levy), quarter dollars, half 
dollars and Spanish milled dollars. In the course of 
time these coins became so debased from wear, clipping 
and punching, that some looked like pieces of battered 
tin, but they passed current nevertheless. It was the 
last man that had them who suffered most, until finally 
Congress made them of silver bullion value only ; that 
is, their value was ascertained by weight, and they soon 
disappeared from circulation. 

Gold was regarded as a curiosity, too scare for 
general use. 

From 1780 down to about 1850, a period of, say, 
seventy years, the town had no bank of issue—only an 
office of discount and deposit of the Bank of Smyrna ; 
paper offered for discount here, if approved by the 
resident director, was sent by the mail-stage to the 
Smyrna Bank, where, if accepted, it was sent back to 
arrive here on the third day of the transaction ; this 
was perplexingly slow. Bank notes from other states 
were in circulation ; there were too many, for 
numbers were counterfeit—some on broken banks, 
and some on no banks at all. Unless a note was known 


79 


to be good, reference was made to “Bicknell’s Coun¬ 
terfeit Detector,” which was issued weekly, and even 
then many worthless ones were taken. 

Speculating in grain was hazardous in those days ; 
advices of the state of European markets were some¬ 
times two weeks old when received in the city, and 
“Mark Dane’s Express,” of Eondon, was as eagerly 
scanned by Philadelphia grain-dealers as the Commer¬ 
cial List, published in that city, was read by the dealers 
in grain in Milford. 

From the foregoing it will be seen under what 
discouraging conditions our old-time merchants con¬ 
tended, but they went ahead, and many of them made 
money. 

The first man of business affairs here after Sydenham 
Thorne, seems to have been his nephew and legatee, 
Peter Caverly, whose operations appear to have 
extended mostly to land transactions, milling and 
finance, until his removal to Dover as an office-holder 
of the Farmers’ Bank there. 

Then James Clayton, the father of John M. Clayton, 
removed from Dagsboro, in Sussex county, and pur¬ 
chased the Thorne property of Caverly. Besides 
conducting the farm he embarked in mercantile busi¬ 
ness, milling and tanning. He built the three-story 
grist-mill in town which was destroyed by fire a few 
years ago. It was constructed of heart pine, which was 
hauled from his woods near Dagsboro. His opera¬ 
tions were too many and too extensive for his pecuniary 
resources, and he failed. 

It is not positively known now whether John 
Middieton Darby (who was a cousin of John Middleton 


80 


Clayton, and hence a nephew of James Clayton) was in 
his employ or not; however, Darby succeeded Clayton 
in the red frame store at the southeast corner of 
Take and Front streets. His business was extensive, 
embracing milling, shipbuilding, general merchandise, 
tanning, and the manufacture of shoes. He seemed to be 
prosperous ; but long credits, unprofitable speculations 
and too great expansion of his operations, forced him, 
after a gallant struggle, to succumb ; no doubt his busi¬ 
ness troubles hastened his end. He was a man of 
cheerful disposition, amiable, honest and possessed of 
great perseverance. 

The Clayton property was next owned by Col. Ben¬ 
jamin Potter, who came here from Drummondtown. He 
also was a tanner by trade; his vats occupying considera¬ 
ble space on each side of Front street, near the run. 
He established another yard on a branch of the Tub- 
Mill pond, known now as “Tanyard branch.” His 
store stood on the south side of the street, where 
with his son Edmund, he conducted the tanyards, 
dealing in land, freighting and mercantile affairs in gen¬ 
eral, and accumulated an ample fortune, notwithstand¬ 
ing his brusque, uncongenial manner. Col. Potter’s 
wealth consisted chiefly of land, the disposition of which 
in his will, clearly illustrates the eccentric mind of the 
man. After some valuable bequests to relatives, he left a 
large acreage of land ‘‘to the poor of Kent county, 
outside of the walls of the Poor House.” This is 
popularly known as the Potter Estate. 

Just east of the tanyardstood an old building,which 
was used as a general store by John R. Potter, the father 
of Dr. Benjamin Potter, and nephew of Col. Potter, who 


81 


also came from Virginia. His career as a merchant was 
brief. He lies beside his son, Dr. Potter, though no 
stone marks his grave. 

Farther down Front street was the business stand 
of Dr. Greer, after whose death his widow kept 
the store for many years. Her life was saddened 
by the untimely death of an only son. A circus had 
been exhibiting in the town, and young Greer, trying 
to imitate the trained riders, fell off his horse and was 
killed. This accident caused so many petitions to be 
sent to the next Legislature against circus perform¬ 
ances in this state, that an act was passed prohibiting 
exhibitions of this kind, and not till many years later 
was the law repealed. Mrs. Greer died at an advanced 
age, after a successful business life. 

On the east side of Mrs. Greer’s is the store of Col. 
William C. Williams (a great-grandson of Reynear 
Williams, the first), who carried on business there for 
several years, and retired with a competency. He was 
the father of the late Reynear Williams and of Robert 
H. Williams. 

Next to the above was the store and residence of 
Henderson Collins, who continued business there for 
many years with indifferent success, and died at near 
ninety years of age. 

On the opposite side of Front street, is a very old 
brick house, supposed to have been first occupied by 
a merchant named Morgan. But little is remembered 
of him, except that he was an aged man in 1833. 

This building was subsequently used by Daniel 
Godwin and sons for several years. It was next 
the printing office of John H. Emerson, from 


82 


Denton, Md., who there established and edited the 
Milford Beacon , the first newspaper ever printed in 
Milford. 

On the other corner of Church street,is a brick store 
built in 1814, it is supposed by John Williams, whose 
son, Reynear Williams, did a flourishing mercantile 
business there about the year 1835. Like his brother, 
Wm. C. Williams, he was a man of affairs, and owned 
much valuable real estate. He died early in his busi¬ 
ness career. 

The storehouse was next occupied by Daniel C. & 
Francis Godwin ; they disposed of their stock to Pratt 
& Bro., and were soon followed by John Williams, 
a brother of William and Reynear, who went into 
business there, was successful, and left a handsome 
estate. Prior to his removal to town, he owned and 
resided on the farm, which embraced all the lands 
where the village of Lincoln is situated. 

About the beginning of this century a gentleman 
named John Wallace came to the town. He built the 
dwelling and store at the west corner of Front and 
North streets, and engaged in general mercantile 
pursuits and the sale of drugs. The war of 1812 
found him with a heavy stock of miscellaneous 
merchandise on hand, which rapidly advanced in 
prices, adding largely to his capital. He was able to 
hold his lands, which continued to increase in value as 
long as he lived. Mr. Wallace was a portly man, of 
medium height, and while he carried a cane of massive 
proportions with a big ivory knob on the end it, he did 
not use the stick to assist his walk, but held it 
horizontally. 


83 


Thomas Wallace succeeded his father in residence, 
store and business. His experience and training were 
amply rewarded ; but, unfortunately, he sold quantities 
of goods on credit; the consequence was that bad 
debts and an impaired capital, compelled the closing 
out his store. Soon after this, a fatal disorder cut 
him off in the prime of life. He was a noble-hearted 
gentleman, and had as many friends as any man who 
ever lived in the town. 

After the death of Peter T. Causey, his son en¬ 
gaged in business with Nehemiah Davis, under the 
firm name of N. Davis & Co. Their store was where 
the post-office now is ; besides dealing in all farm 
products, they manufactured black oak bark into quer¬ 
citron for tanning hides and for shipment to London 
for dyeing purposes. They also worked the iron ore 
beds, situated between here and Georgetown,and made 
a good deal of money out of the venture. Five years 
before this Oliver & Godwin were doing a large 
trade where Wadhams had been. When their career 
seemed most prosperous, Mr. Oliver died, and Godwin, 
forming a co-partnership with Joseph Brown, of 
Frederica, established a grain commission house on 
Delaware Avenue, Philadelphia. By the death of Mr. 
Oliver, the Wadhams store became vacant. 

Then Daniel Currey, who had been a clerk for 
Wadhams, and later a bookkeeper for Oliver & Godwin, 
went into partnership with Nehemiah Davis, under 
the name of Currey & Davis ; their field of operation 
included merchandising, speculation in grain, in 
heavily-timbered lands, vessel building and buying 
farms and houses. So well equipped were they that 


84 










































































































































ft. 










Tfl 

Is 


|g? | ■ ■gpl 

• ' ■-*& * 




fftyiml * ai« >iiT‘i * V*L v ' ■* -i ■jlMm 








\W 





_ \ • • TT'iion ,.^hu 

■ft » ‘ 




f7n^r .C 




jriW '£a*s '*’’ A>3 

jg|N 


■ 'Wmm. 


fijw 




s 

p+ 


Photo, by Daugherty WALNUT ST. (SOUTH *F ROM^FRONT) 























few mistakes were made, every branch being kept 
well in hand. When they dissolved partnership their 
affairs were in a prosperous condition. 

Perhaps they would not have discontinued business 
when they did, but for the circumstance of Col. Henry 
B. Fiddeman’s purchasing the storehouse, dwelling, 
wharves and granaries in tenure of Currey & Davis. 
Mr. Fiddeman lived in the house where his daughter, 
Mrs. Fodand, now resides. Currey opened an office in 
the same building, and increased his wealth by shrewd 
speculations in land, guano, grain, etc. Davis 
also soon retired with a substantial fortune. Their 
business career was remarkable for the amicable rela¬ 
tions between them. Afterwards B. D. Anderson 
occupied the store for some years. 

The Masonic Hall building was erected for a gen¬ 
eral merchandise store by Daniel C. Godwin and his 
brother Samuel, both energetic, accomplished business, 
men. Daniel died at his residence near Baltimore, 
Md., leaving a large estate. Samuel went to Philadel¬ 
phia, and at the close of the civil war was wealthy. 
In the second-story the Peninsular News and Ad¬ 
vertiser was published. 

At the close of the rebellion Andrew B. Cooper, who 
had been a clerk to Major Lofiand, while paymaster in 
the army, bought the place of Godwin & Co., and 
occupied it as a general store up to the time of his death, 
twenty years later. 

Adjoining the above, Geo. S. and John W. Adkins 
for a long time kept a dry goods and grocery store ; they 
were trained business men, quiet, but energetic, trust¬ 
worthy and esteemed. After them, James B. Davis* 


85 


who had been chief bookkeeper for John M. Darby, 
used the store ; he was an experienced merchant, and 
retired with a substantial fortune. 

At the south end was the post office,during the official 
term of Joseph W. George. The room was next used 
by Lewis Chamberlain as a ’squire’s offiqe. Then 
Samuel J. Jefferson, also a magistrate, had his office 
there. After him it was occupied by Alexander N. 
Hall as a jewelry store. 

The next building was for many years a carriage 
factory, until it became the property and store of C. S. 
Watson & Co.,who made an additional room for the use 
of Joseph S. Bennett’s drug concern. In this apartment 
was established the first telegraph instrument in the town. 
Mr. Bennett was the operator, and crowds collected to 
.see the wonders of telegraphy. 

The most successful part of the Messrs. Watson’s 
business career was after they moved to the north side of 
the river. At this period guano was imported in immense 
quantities, and lands began to appreciate in value in 
•consequence of its general use. The Watsons bought 
and sold thousands of tons of the fertilizer, and invested 
their profits in land at low prices ; their operations, 
of course, extending to all products of the farm and 
wood. They owned vessels and speculated in almost 
everything of commercial value; when the northern 
and eastern land-buyers came here seeking farms, and 
lands went up to unheard-of prices, the Messrs. Wat¬ 
sons’ fortunes were assured. They bought of Mrs. 
Hetty Hooper the house and grounds which had belonged 
to the original proprietor, Joseph Oliver, and erected 
on the site the two brick residences, where they lived 


86 


and died. Bethuel Watson married Miss Ruth Tharp, 
daughter of ex-Governor William Tharp, and was the 
father of William Tharp Watson, also governor. The 
next tenants of the Watson store were a firm composed 
of B. Y. Collins, John H. Collins and R. J. Hill; who 
remained there until some time after the civil war. 
The store was divided into two rooms, J. Wesley 
Truitt, the dry goods merchant, having the south 
room, and Dr. R. Y. Watson, when postmaster, using 
the other as the office. 

Another house between it and the bridge, was built 
and occupied as a dwelling and store by George W. 
Buchanan, who soon failed and moved away. His 
property was purchased by John W. Jump, who had 
prospered in business in the Potter Griffith store, and 
subsequently bought all but two of the lots down to 
the creek, and erected the buildings as they are now. 

The river side to Water street was formerly piled 
with wood, lime and staves, amid which stood numer¬ 
ous granaries. In 1848 a storehouse was erected by 
Mr. McColley at the corner of Walnut and Water Sts., 
with outside steps leading up to the second-story, 
where there was an auction room for the sale of the 
various articles of traveling merchants. The store is 
now occupied by Wm. A. Humes & Son, hardware 
merchants. It was once used by Inderleid, McNair & 
Co. A. T. Chittenden, who married a daughter of Wil¬ 
liam Gray, was a partner. While bathing in the 
creek one evening, Mr. Chittenden was drowned. 
After the death of Mr. McColley,Gray became the owner 
of the Walnut street front to Water street. 

On the corner of Water street was the residence 


87 


and store of Potter Griffith, a justice of the peace, 
who in 1838, was quite an aged man ; he was 
of a kindly disposition, but eccentric, and when the 
inclination seized him for a periodic indulgence, the 
people would say “the wind is coming around east.” 

His admiration for General Jackson knew no bounds, 
and his enthusiasm in this regard was well known. 
His faults were as nothing ; his noble nature making 
him beloved by all. Many persons and firms succeeded 
him, among them were Levin C. Fowler, Jump & 
Pennewill, and last though not least, Joseph C. Gorby 
as hotel keeper. 

The next house, now a shoe shop, was the offioe of 
H. W. McColley, secretary and treasurer, and Tench 
Tilghman, engineer of the Junction and Breakwater 
Railroad Company. The Chinese laundry apartment, 
was occupied as far back as 1835, by a man named 
Clem. Messick and his wife, Ann, who kept an 
oyster and ale house there. Their daughter, 
Hester, married Tom Hoskins, who was hanged 
for the murder of John Bennett. The house, built 
by Jonathan Milrnan about 1803, looks at this 
time just as it did then. The store of T. P. Mc¬ 
Colley was also built by Milrnan. Mr. McColley was 
at first a hatter, then he embarked in the general mer¬ 
cantile business, which included dry goods, groceries, 
drugs and liquors ; it is said that he was the first mer¬ 
chant in town to discontinue the sale of spirits. A man of 
extraordinary energy and sound common sense; his 
business prospered from the start. By marriage he 
acquired considerable land and bought more, so that 
as early as 1840 he was considered a rich man. About 


88 


that time his sons succeeded him as McColley & Bro.,, 
and were in business some years. The site of Dr. Geo. 
W. Marshall’s drug store was the residence of James 
H. Buchanan, who married Miss Hannah Campbell; 
after him, Capt. William H. Smithers, lived there; 
then Stephen Redden, who married a sister of T. P. 
McColley, occupied it. Dr. William Marshall’s parlor 
was formerly two rooms ; the south one was once a 
part of Mr. McColley’s residence,, then Lewis Chamber- 
lain used it as a jewelry store. It was there that A. N. 
Hall and S. C. Evans learned the jewelry business. 
Subsequently in the same house, Jacob Y. Foulk kept 
a drug store, and just before the close of the civil war 
Dr. J. S. Pretty man published, in the third-story, the 
Peninsular News and Advertiser. 


89 


Religious Worship 

T O that new land, that mystic land, 

That lay beyond the sea, 

They came to found their simple homes 
Where conscience should be free. 

Who were these hardy pioneers ? 

What were their race and blood ? 

The question half is answered, 

When we’re told “they worshiped God.’’ 

God teach us all to love the land 
Where these brave souls have dwelt, 

To honor our inheritance, 

To kneel as they have knelt. 

God prosper and defend, we pray, 

Our noble Church and State ; 

And banish from our fair domain 
The lust of pride and hate. 

And as they came in peaceful trust 
Across a troubled sea, 

So may we fill our humble part, 

And leave the rest with Thee. 


The people who settled this peninsula came here to 
found Christian homes, to gain from their own toil a 
competence, and to better their fortunes generally. 
They were desirous to leave their children a heritage of 


90 



priceless value, and to that end brought them up with 
a wholesome respect for honest labor, and with due 
regard for the demands of religion. The discovery of 
this country and the opening of large tracts for settle¬ 
ment, through the providence of God proved a blessing 
to Anglo-Saxon peoples, and to the religious creeds 
they represented. 

Among the earliest immigrants who came to this 
Western continent as to a peaceful asylum, were the 
Scotch covenanters—divided into presbyterians and 
baptists. From the province under the control of 
Penn at the north, there drifted down goodly num¬ 
bers of Friends, whose religion fitted them as 
closely as the plain garments they wore. The settlers 
of the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, attracted 
by the fertile lands along the Atlantic coast, were 
members of the Church of England. Another element 
was the Huguenots, who had fled from their native 
valleys at the revocation of the edict of Nantes, and 
found asylums throughout Europe. Settled in this 
country, they allied themselves with the various 
denominations of their neighbors. 

The first colonists were, in large proportion, of 
Anglo-Saxon blood, and most of them had been reared 
in the protestant religion. These differing organiza¬ 
tions of Christians have remained on our peninsula to 
this day, with the single exception of the society of 
Friends, which died out early in the century. Another, 
the Methodist, has been added, but practically we 
worship as did our fathers before us. 

In the earlier years there were no churches in which 
to assemble—the settlers were scattered, and their 


9i 


whole time and energy devoted to clearing the forests 
for their farms, and building their rude houses. But 
they were not insensible to their religious obligations. 
From time to time families would meet together, 
coming often from a great distance, threading forest 
paths and fording streams, in order to be present. De¬ 
nominational lines were often discarded, and the exer¬ 
cises consisted in reading and expounding the scrip¬ 
tures, prayers, and the singing of psalms. Frequently 
these meetings were held under the shade of large forest 
trees. How appropriate these surroundings, since “the 
groves were God’s first temples.” Occasionally a 
travelling lay-preacher or local exhorter would con¬ 
duct the devotions, and although their forms may 
have been crude, yet no doubt their worship was 
sincere. 


CHRIST CHURCH 

As the first settlers of this peninsula were, for the 
most part, natives of England, it was natural that the 
earliest public religious instruction and administration 
of the sacraments should be in accordance with what 
they had been accustomed to at home. And therefore, 
in the beginning of the last century, there was built, 
about three miles west of what is now the town of 
Milford, a chapel where worship was maintained ac¬ 
cording to the rites of the Church of England. The 
exact site of this primitive house-of-prayer is no longer 
known, but services were held there as early as 1704, 
when the Reverend Thomas Crawford, stationed at 
Dover, was sent by the English “Society for the Propa- 


92 
































































































































































* 







































































gation of the Gospel in Foreign parts,” to hold services 
in lower Kent. 

In the year 1740 a chapel was built near this spot, 
since known as Church Hill. It was a small frame 
structure, thirty-six feet long by thirty feet wide; but 
probably large enough to accommodate the few wor¬ 
shipers from the still thinly populated country. To 
the north and nearly in front of the site lies an extensive 
savannah, and hence, the place of worship became 
popularly known as the “Savannahchurch,” although 
it was officially designated as Christ Church, Mis- 
pillion. 

Ih 1745 the Rev. Arthur Ussher, stationed at Dover, 
also officiated at this point. He was succeeded by 
the Rev. Hugh Neil. In 1757 the Rev. Charles Inglis 
began a most successful pastorate extending over six 
years. He was called from his labors here to become 
rector of Trinity Church, New York, and was subse¬ 
quently bishop of Nova Scotia. Then the Rev. Samuel 
Magaw was appointed to the vacant place. 
He relinquished the charge in 1776, to be rector of 
St. Paul’s church, Philadelphia, and later was vice 
provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ma¬ 
gaw was the last missionary of the Propagation 
Society. 

The church was now left to its own resources, but in 
the congregation were men capable of extending what¬ 
ever support was needed. Among these were the two 
who first laid out this town, and gave it that impulse 
which resulted in its rapid growth in the early days, 
the Rev. Sydenham Thorne and Joseph Oliver. The 
latter, after laying out his farm in town lots, made a 


93 


gift of sufficient ground for a church site and a grave¬ 
yard, and in 1791 the foundations of the present 
“Christ Church,” Milford, were laid. These two men 
were enterprising and energetic. Some opposition to 
removing the place of worship was encountered, but 
Thorne and Oliver were not daunted. From clay on 
the lands of the latter the bricks were made, the parson 
paying the expense. The site of this primitive brick 
yard may yet be seen in the northern part of the town, 
near which another has lately been in operation. 
Thorne also furnished from his own lands the lumber 
required, and paid the cost of hewing it into shape. 

But in the midst of his labors this brave man died 
in 1794, and the work of building the church came to 
a stop. For more than a score of years the unfinished 
structure stood as a reminder of the zeal and sacrifice 
of the beloved parson, and as a suggestion to others 
who should profit by his example. But it was not 
until 1835 that the work so earnestly begun was carried 
on to completion. 

Originally it was of two stories with galleries on the 
north, west and south; the communion table being at the 
east. The pulpit was surmounted, as usual in those 
days, by a sounding-board. 

Rev. Wm. Price succeeded Mr.Thorne, and continued 
to officiate until 1800. In 1817 the Rev. Henry R'. 
Judah, of the Dover congregation, officiated for a time. 
Two years later the Rev. Joseph Spencer became master 
of the Milford Academy, and also rector of the parish. 
He was followed in 1823 by Rev. Daniel Higbee, who 
continued in charge until 1839. 

In 1833 Rev. Corry Chambers became rector; a 


94 


man of much energy and ability, and a fit successor to 
Thorne of another generation. He succeeded in gath¬ 
ering the scattered members, made extensive repairs to 
the church, and when in the midst of this work the 
roof took fire, causing considerable damage, he imme¬ 
diately started a subscription paper, which resulted in 
securing pledges for much more than the amount 
needed to make good the damage. In 1836 the com¬ 
pleted church was consecrated by the Right Reverend 
Henry U. Onderdonk. In 1840 Rev. John Reynolds 
succeeded Mr. Chambers, and remained till 1843. 

In 1844 the Rev. John Linn McKim was called to 
the rectorship; a rare schoiar and a man of unusual 
ability^, he was much loved and respected. In 1863 his 
son, Rev. John Leighton McKim, succeeded him. 
During his charge the church (in 1866) was enlarged 
by adding a chancel, sacristry, porch and tower and 
other minor improvements. In 1880 he resigned, to be 
rector of St. Mary’s Hall, Burlington. 

The next year the Rev. Charles E. Milnor became the 
minister of the parish, but was soon succeeded by Rev. 
Lewis H. Jackson, who remained till 1885. Rev. J. C. 
Kerr was called in 1886, and resigned to become chap¬ 
lain in the army. He was followed by the Rev. J. 
Hoi well Geare, who served as rector for a year and 
a-half. 

In 1894 Rev. J. Leighton McKim (the present 
rector) was recalled, and as the last decade of the 
eighteenth century witnessed the untiring efforts of 
Parson Thorne in building the church, so the closing 
years of this century finds in charge a gentleman whose 
first thought is for his parish, his church and the con- 


95 


:secrated ground where sleep so many of its communi¬ 
cants. 

It may be proper to name some of those who were 
wardens and vestrymen or pew-holders of Christ 
Church in past years, especially as many of these 
persons have had no other mention in these chronicles, 
and in some cases the names themselves are no longer 
represented in the community. Such men, for 
example, as William Sorden, Colonel Peterkin, 
Ratcliff Poynter, Daniel Rogers, Jehu Davis, Joseph 
Oliver, Peter Caverly, John Masten, Dr. Sudler, 
John Purnell, Jacob Biddle, John Reville, Jonathan 
Walton, Dr. Brinckloe, Edmund Potter, Dr. Adams, 
Dr. Wm. Wolfe, John Hill, Walter Truitt, Gen. 
Thomas Fisher, James Clayton, Andrew Barrett, 
Judge Layton, Jacob McNatt, Abraham Townsend, 
John Shaver, Charles D. Watson, John R. Draper, 
Charles Paramore, George R. Fisher, Daniel Currey, 
Benjamin Potter, Manlove R. Carlisle, Thomas Car¬ 
lisle, Governor Burton, Dr. Mitchell, Thomas Wallace, 
Major Lofland, General Torbert, Judge Fisher and Dr. 
Nathan Pratt. 

The church, one of the earliest in the community, 
has had its difficulties, but its faithful people have 
overcome them. It has steadily pursued its noble 
work, with a dignity that at times is lacking among 
religious congregations, and while its friends outside 
of those who attend the services are many, yet the 
expenses of the church work are borne, for the most 
part, by its faithful adherents. 


96 












H 


’ 





































Photo, by Daugherty 

AVENUE M. E. CHURCH 











METHODIST 

The Methodist church throughout the land has 
made a phenomenal growth during its short existence. 
It has been little more than a hundred years since the 
first meetings were held in private dwellings and under 
the friendly shelter of the forest trees, but it has 
increased to such proportions as now to be one of the 
leading evangelical churches of the country. This 
denomination has been marked from the days of 
Wesley by its aggressive earnestness, and has extended 
the field of its efforts to all classes and places. The 
church at Milford has been animated by the spirit of 
the general body, and since its organization has been 
one of the most active religious forces in our midst. 

Methodism in the United States had its inception in 
this community, and while Barratt’s Chapel is gener¬ 
ally regarded as the first spot where worship was 
conducted according to the faith of Wesley, yet meet¬ 
ings were held at various places for several years 
antedating the erection of the chapel. As early as 1777 
there was preaching at the home of Reynear Williams, 
at Angleford handing, about three miles east of the 
present town of Milford, on the banks of the river. 
Worship was conducted there until the erection of a 
meeting-house in Milford. During pleasant weather 
when the congregations were large they would fre¬ 
quently adjourn to the open air, and conduct meetings 
under the shade of a huge apple tree. Here, from time 
to time, the ministers of the Methodist society and of 
other denominations were entertained. Among these 
guests were Bishop Asbury, Freeborn Garretson and 
Lorenzo Dow. 


97 


Until the year 1785 the followers of the new move¬ 
ment were under the ecclesiastical care of the Church 
of England, and were dependent upon it for the 
sacraments. The places of worship were called 
“meeting-houses,” and the preachers were evangelists 
or lay-preachers. It was not till 1785 that the Metho¬ 
dist Church became separate and independent. In 
1780 Philip Barratt and Waitman Sipple led a move¬ 
ment to establish a place of worship, which resulted in 
the building of Barratt’s Chapel, j ust north of what is now 
the town of Frederica. Only a few years later, in 1787, 
a movement was started to erect a meeting-house in 
the town of Milford, which was crowned with success 
two years later. Joseph Oliver, who gave the land 
for the Episcopal Church, and who was a member of 
that body, donated the ground for the new place of 
worship. It is related that the first meeting in the 
new building was held before its completion, Rev. 
William Jessup preaching a funeral sermon. In 1789 
the minutes of the church first mention the name of 
Milford; at that time Thomas Jackson and William 
Ratcliff were in charge, Richard Whatcoat being 
presiding elder of the district. The conference of 1812, 
over which Bishop George presided, was held in this 
building. It was a memorable session for its sermons, 
twenty-three being preached during the few days of its 
continuance ; six were delivered from the pulpit one 
Sunday. When we consider how lengthy the sermons 
were in those days, the intermissions must have been 
brief indeed. 

This place of worship was located at about the 
center of the Methodist burial-ground, and ran east 


98 


and west ; it was a frame structure at first lighted 
by candles, and later by sperm-oil lamps. 

In those days the negroes attended worship as well 
as the white people, and there was generally a gallery 
provided for their exclusive use. This was the case in 
this old meeting-house ; on communion days they filed 
down stairs to partake of the sacrament, after the white 
people had been served. There was a partition running 
down the middle of the building, on one side of which 
sat the men, on the other the women. Cuspidores 
were provided for the former, and this fact alone testifies 
that in some respects our habits are more admirable 
than some of those of our fathers. The benches on 
which they sat were of board, which fact helps us to 
form an idea of the spartan nature of these people who 
could sit on these benches and listen to six long 
sermons. 

This building was afterwards sold and removed, 
and a new edifice erected on North street, nearly oppo¬ 
site. The official board at this time was composed of 
the following persons : Purnell Hall, Samuel Draper, 
Jesse Sherwood, Benjamin Henderson and Douder 
Dayton. The new building, a substantial brick 
Structure, was dedicated in 1842. It was then that 
instrumental music was introduced, and this resulted 
in dissensions, which caused a number of members to 
withdraw for a time. Conference convened here again 
in 1845, Bishop Waugh presiding. 

About 1870 a number of members thinking that the 
church building was too small to accommodate the 
growing congregation, and that it should be more 
centrally located, started a movement to erect a new 


99 


edifice. This stirred up violent dissensions ; many 
maintained that the building was sufficiently large; 
others were in favor of moving to South Milford, and 
still others advocated remodeling the old edifice. Fi¬ 
nally a new site was selected, and the corner-stone was 
laid in 1871. The building is a handsome and commo¬ 
dious structure, costing $ 19 , 000 ; but it cost, too, the 
membership of a number who left it never to return. 
The third conference held here, under Bishop Ames, 
was convened in 1877, and in 1879 the church was 
relieved of serious financial embarrassment by the 
efforts of the pastor, Rev. J. B. Quigg, and his fellow- 
workers. The last conference held here was in 1890, 
Bishop Bowman presiding. 

For many years this church has been most fortunate 
in its ministers ; in nearly all instances they have been 
able preachers and efficient pastors. Under the itiner¬ 
ancy they were too numerous to record. 

The present incumbent, Dr. Barrett, is the peer of 
"all, and has carried on his work unostentatiously, yet 
ably. The church has maintained the various organi¬ 
zations supplementary to its regular worship, and has 
been a great religious force from the beginning. In 
membership it has been more democratic, perhaps, 
than some of its sister churches; among its members 
are leaders in the community, but it has also reached 
•out its arms after the lowly. It has supplied a great 
need in religious life, and all wish it well. 


100 





















































, 




























































o iflSM ■ ■ I ■ 














Photo by Daugherty 

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 


p 101 














PRESBYTERIAN 


On the old King’s highway, south side of the 
Mispillion, and about a quarter of a mile from the 
present town of Milford, there stood in former days a 
chapel where worship was conducted after the manner 
of the Presbyterians. Situated as it was, a few rods 
distant from the confluence of the three branches, 
which join to make the Mispillion, it was known in 
those days as the “Three Runs” meeting.house. 

Like most of the earlier places of worship the time 
of its erection is lost in obscurity. Probably it dated 
back to the middle of the eighteenth century. In 1772 
the Lewes presbytery met there, and a year later the 
Rev. Mr. Huston was licensed, and preached at this, 
place ; also, at Murderkill, Wicomico, Queen Anne’s, 
Princess Anne, Nanticoke, Black water and Rehoboth, 
and in 1764 he was ordained and installed as pastor of 
the united congregations of Murderkill and the Thiee 
Runs. When presbytery met at the former place, in 
1770, complaint was made that Mr. Huston was using 
Dr. Watt’s version of the psalms instead of the Rouse 
version. The presbytery met again at Three Runs in 
1771 - 

Resides the ministers there were present the elders, 
Dr. John Hazlett and John Draper. Rev. Mr. Huston 
died in 1785. From the minutes of presbytery in 1786 
we quote the following : “A chasm of two minutes of 
two sessions which was supposed to be lost in the 
plundering of Mr. Huston’s house by refugees.” So- 
we infer that certain records disappeared during the 


101 


Revolution, and that their loss was attributed to Tory 
vandalism. 

The old Three Runs meeting-house was abandoned 
early in this century (about 1815), and for a time the 
few remaining members worshiped in a building 
situated in the eastern part of South Milford near the 
road which was a part of the old king’s highway. 
After a time this house also was abandoned, and for a 
period there was no public place set aside for Presbyte¬ 
rian worship in the town of Milford. There remained, 
however, many of the original members, and a warm 
feeling for the church of their fathers was kept alive. 
The presbjdery of Wilmington interested in extending 
the influences of the denomination, sent the Rev. G. W. 
Kennedy to Milford with instructions to organize a 
congregation. This gentleman, after many discourage¬ 
ments, succeeded in gathering sufficient funds to erect 
a building. A number of the most liberal and pro¬ 
gressive citizens who were not members, or who 
belonged to other denominations contributed, and with 
the money raised partly in other quarters, there were 
soon sufficient funds to build not only a house of wor¬ 
ship, but a parsonage. The building committee 
consisted of William Tharp, P. F. Causey, H. B. 
Fiddeman, William V. Coulter, Dr. James P. Lofland 
and John A. Hazzard. The first roll of membership 
contained seven names. In the corner-stone of the 
present edifice, among other materials, are several 
bricks taken from the foundations of the original Three 
Runs structure. Mr. Kennedy continued his ministry 
until 1856, during which time the membership increased. 
For a time after his departure, the church passed 


102 


through many vicissitudes ; the old and the new school 
presbyteries, the former of Lewes, and the latter from 
Wilmington, striving for supremacy. The Lewes 
presbytery sent the Rev. Cornelius Mustard in 1857 to 
preach on alternate Sundays, but in November of that 
year he was succeeded by the Rev. G. W. Mears, who 
remained but a few months, and subsequently became 
a professor in Hamilton College. 

Rev. J. Garland Hamner occupied the pulpit from 
i860 to 1863. He was very successful in adding names 
to the rolls, including those of a number of prominent 
citizens. He was followed by the Rev. Littleton J. 
Bowen, of the Lewes, or old school presbytery, who 
continued for a time, and performed his duties in a very 
acceptable manner. 

In 1866 the Rev. J. F. Severance was called, and 
remained for two years; during his pastorate there 
were many members added. He was succeeded by the 
Rev. Richard A. Mallory, who continued in charge 
until his death in 1872. While he was pastor one 
hundred and three members were added to the church, 
and at his death the members of the congregation 
deemed their loss irreparable. During the latter part 
of his life, and for a time after his death, the pulpit was 
filled by the Rev. George E. Jones, of Princeton Semi¬ 
nary. He was followed by the Rev. A. A. Dinsmore, 
who remained over two years, and was efficient and 
beloved. 

The Rev. H. L. Bunstein was called in 1870 
and has remained to this time. To the present genera¬ 
tion, Mr. Bunstein is too well known as a pastor, 
preacher and gentleman to need the praise of the writer; 


103 


but that future generations may know, it is sufficient 
to say that he is one our most respected citizens, genial, 
scholarly and zealous in church work. From every 
standpoint his life in our midst has been a success. 

Such is the history of this church in outline; it has 
carried on its charities and its minor Christian organi¬ 
zations ; it has exerted a mighty influence on the 
morals of the community, and its members generally 
are respected and honored. May its future be even 
brighter than its past. 


BAPTIST 

The church has never been numerically strong in 
this section, but there have always been sufficient 
persons of their faith to keep alive an interest 
and to hold together the few who have been attached 
to this form of worship. Their early history in this 
vicinity has been lost in obscurity, and but little 
remains in the form of tradition, from which the chroni¬ 
cler may draw reliable inferences. 

The first building devoted exclusively to worship 
by the Baptists of this section was undoubtedly the old 
church in Milford Neck, about three miles from Mil¬ 
ford, and which has been popularly known as the “Old 
Baptist meeting-house.” The services conducted here 
were in accordance with the observances of the “old 
school,” but there are no adherents of their particular 
beliefs now remaining in the community. It may be 
accepted that this building was erected not long 
after the middle of the eighteenth century, probably 
about 1760. We have authentic information that the 
building was repaired and re-roofed in 1796, and 


104 



Photo, by Daugherty p. 104 

BAPTIST CHURCH 






































































































judging from this, it seems certain that it must hav€r 
been standing at least thirty or forty years before these 
repairs should have been necessary. 

Karly in this present century the church appears to 
have been in a prosperous condition ; doubtless due in 
part to there being no other place of worship of any 
denomination in Milford Neck. Most of the prominent 
families in that section affiliated with it, and it was not 
till the Methodist church became aggressive, that its 
membership dropped away, and the house was aban¬ 
doned as a place of worship. It is not known who 
were its founders and supporters, nor who were its 
ministers, save the Rev. Matthew M. Hynson, of 
Milford, father of Garrett L,. Hynson, who preached 
there occasionally; he rests in the burial-ground of 
Christ church. The Rev. Peter Meredith also preached 
there, holding services about every fourth Sunday, for 
many years. This was discontinued just prior to the 
civil war. 

When the state passed the general school law, early 
in this century, the building was devoted to school 
purposes during the week days, and to religious worship 
on Sundays ; but it soon became more important as a 
school than as a church. Pupils from a wide range of 
territory received here the sum of their education. 
From this old building graduated many of the best men 
of the community, and they have been active in the 
various walks of life. There are yet living a number 
of our citizens who sat under the iron hand of some of 
the autocratic teachers who held sway in this building. 
After a time the state made different provisions for 
public education. Smaller districts were laid out, and. 


105 


new school houses built, so the old building was 
abandoned. But it was not to remain untenanted long; 
an old negro, the product of a by-gone generation, 
moved in and made it his home. As a boy he had 
attended worship there with his mother, who was a 
member, a woman locally famous ; and who, solely on 
account of her great age, was popularly regarded as a 
witch. Here the sou, “Josh” Clark, took up his 
abode, and the place became the terror of the children 
and the superstitious for miles around. Clark was in 
some way associated with these mysteries, but nothing 
broke the slumbers of the old man as he reposed on his 
bed of straw in front of the pulpit, from which he had 
heard so many sermons delivered. 

After his death, some years since, the build¬ 
ing was torn down, and nothing now remains to mark 
the site, save the few sunken and overgrown graves in 
the rear. For some time there was no Baptist church 
in this vicinity, the descendants of the old members, 
having in most cases either moved away or united with 
other denominations; and, therefore, when in later 
years a new organization of Baptists was effected in 
Milford, its adherents numbered but few who were 
descended from the members of this congregation ; and 
the organization had abandoned the “old school” for 
the new. 

It was not till after the civil war that there was any 
serious effort made to revive Baptist worship in this 
•locality. The settlers who came from other states and 
purchased farms, attracted by fruit-growing and the 
pleasant climate, brought with them their religious 
creeds ; a number were Baptists, and these, together 

106 


with those already in the community, determined to 
establish a church. For a time worship was conducted 
at Lincoln, but the membership was limited, and it was 
decided to move to Milford, where it was thought the 
•movement would receive better support. 

On June 14, 1S73, a meeting was called at the old 
M. E. Church on North street, to consider the advisa¬ 
bility of organizing a Baptist congregation. It was an 
undertaking requiring stout hearts and unlimited 
energy, since there were but few of this denomination in 
the community ; and although these were representative 
citizens, there were no wealthy men among them to 
bear their financial burdens. Two month later, at a 
meeting held at the same place, they made overtures to 
be taken into the regular Baptist organization and to 
be recognized as a church of that faith. In August of 
the same year a committee was appointed to purchase 
the old M. E. Church, in which they held their meet¬ 
ings, if the terms were satisfactory, and a good title 
could be given. Another committee was named to 
secure funds for the purpose. The project was subse¬ 
quently abandoned for some reason, after which all 
efforts were directed to building a new edifice. 

In October of 1873, the congregation was formally 
organized under the name of the First Baptist church, 
of Milford, and the following gentlemen were elected 
trustees : S. Todd Jenkins, Seymore C. Horton, Daniel 
H. Weeks, George E. Rice and Abner M. Webb. 
Early in 1874 H. H. Eearmy was called to the charge. 
At this time there was occasional preaching, the 
tnumber of communicants being nineteen, and the 
attendance less than a hundred. 


107 


On March 28, 1874, a committee was named to 
solicit funds for the erection of a building. 
It was composed of the following gentlemen: 
Jonathan Smith, A. M. Webb, Stephen Shockley, 
Daniel Weeks and George L. Stevens. In 1875 the 
church edifice was completed. It is a commodious 
frame structure, situated on Second street, in North 
Milford, near the public school building. 

The church, with its little band of followers, has 
had a struggle from the first. It has been without the 
services of a pastor for periods of some length, but its 
people have never grown discouraged. There is a lack 
of numbers, but not of zeal, and their energy and 
courage argue success in the years to come. 

THE OLD QUAKER MEETING-HOUSE 

Many of the present generation are not aware that 
in by-gone years, this community had in its midst a 
considerable number of Friends ; but there are a few 
elderly persons who can remember when a remnant of 
these plain people walked the streets of Milford, and 
exchanged salutations in their plain language. Occa¬ 
sionally we hear traditions respecting their meeting¬ 
house and burial place ; but beyond the location of 
these, very little information remains. A few frag¬ 
ments, however, that are left us, and these, although 
meagre, are yet authentic. 

The first mention of Friends in the present limits of 
Milford Hundred, is found in the minutes of Duck 
Creek meeting, on the 19th, of 3d month, 1707, at 
which time it is reported that “Joseph Booth and Mark 


108 


Manlove appeared for Mushmillion (Mispillion). Wm. 
Horn brought a note from the Quarterly Meeting, 
signifying their approbation of settling a meeting of 
worship at Mushmillion Creek, upon the first day of 
the week. Weekly meetings had been held at the 
house of Matthew Manlove, and on the 20th of ninth 
month, 1710, request was made that the place of 
meeting be changed to the house of Reynear Williams, 
which was granted. ’ ’ [Scharf’s Hist]. 

Mr. Ussher, in his report to the English “Society 
for the Propagation of the Gospel,” (1742), says: 
“Upon the justest calculation I can make, I find there 
are 1004 families in the county, thereof 508 are of the 
Church of England, 392 Presbyterians, 60 Quakers and 
45 Baptists.” 

Mr. Neill, his successor, reporting to the same 
Society in 1751, calculates the number of taxables or 
families within the county (Kent) ‘ ‘to be one thousand, 
three hundred and twenty. Those who profess them¬ 
selves of the Church of England make almost an equal 
balance in number with the Dissenters of all sorts. We 
have one Independent (baptist) teacher, that attends 
two other places of worship : one Presbyterian meeting¬ 
house, but no teacher; one Newlight meeting-house, 
without any teacher, about five or six families of 
Papists, who are attended once a month from Maryland 
with a priest, and two small Quaker meeting-houses.” 
These were doubtless Duck Creek and Camden. In 
the deed from Cullen’s executor to Sydenham Thorne, 
made 1785, occur the words, “except a lot of ground 
heretofore sold to the people called Quakers, containing 
about one acre.” No mention is made of the Friends 


109 


in this vicinity erecting a meeting-house until after 
1790. On the 13th of November of that year, John 
Dickinson sold to the trustees of Murderkill (Mother- 
kill) Meeting, five acres of land near Milford for the 
erecting and supporting a meeting-house and school- 
house. The meeting-house was there built and used 
for many years, but has now entirely passed away. It 
was situated on Tanners’ (Cullen’s) Branch, on the north 
west side of the town in or near their burying-ground. 

The Milford members of the Society, as far as can 
now be ascertained were, besides those above mentioned, 
Reynear Williams, Gallaudet Oliver, John Thomas and 
Isaiah James. The descendants of these conformed in 
most cases to the Episcopal Church ; other birth-right 
members were absorbed by the Camden meeting, and 
the rest appear to have died out or disappeared alto¬ 
gether, as at this writing, there is hardly a Quaker left 
in Mispillion Hundred. 


no 









Photo, by Daugherty CLAYTON HOMESTEAD p. ill 

(Built by MR. TIIORNE-Now MRS. MARY E. LOFLAND'S) 










Four Distinguished Sons 


The Statesman, the Soldier, the Jurist and the Poet 


M ILFORD has produced many men whose lives 
have honored the place of their birth, and 
whose energies have been devoted to building 
up her industries and improving her general condition; 
she has also sent forth into broader fields a few who 
have brought her name into prominence. In present¬ 
ing this view of her honored sons, we have selected the 
names of four citizens who stand forth in their particu¬ 
lar spheres, pre-eminent among our people, and we 
feel sure that coming generations will delight to 
recount their deeds and to render homage to their 
names. 

JOHN M. CLAYTON 

John M. Clayton was the most brilliant son Milford 
ever sent out into the great world—perhaps he was the 
greatest man Delaware ever produced, and while not 
bom in this town, he spent the greater part of his boy¬ 
hood days here, and here he received his earlier educa¬ 
tion. The remains of His father and mother repose in 
the old burialground on the Thorne farm at the edge of 
own, where his childhood days were spent. Their dis¬ 
tinguished son afterwards marked the spot in loving 
remembrance of his honored parents. 

John M. Clayton was born on the 24th day of July, 
1796, at Dagsboro, in Sussex County. He was the 


hi 



eldest son of James and Sarah Middleton Clayton, and 
was a lineal descendent of the fourth generation from 
Joshua Clayton, who came to this country on the good 
ship “Welcome,” in 1662, as the friend and companion 
of William Penn. He died at Dover, November 9th, 
1856, at the house on the southwest, corner of the 
public square. 

To his mother Clayton owed much of the ability 
and versatility he afterwards displayed. She was one 
of the most remarkable women of her time ; and her 
fund of information on all topics from household affairs 
to statesmanship seemed unlimited. She directed his 
studies and helped to inspire him with the lofty 
ideals which made him one of the greatest statesman 
of the period. 

As a boy he attended the old Academy of this town 
and one of the earlier schoolmasters said of him that 
he was the brightest boy he ever knew. It is related 
that Clayton first exhibited those talents which after¬ 
wards made him eminent, when yet a boy in this town 
in discourses on political questions. His favorite pastime 
was to make stump speeches to the interested specta¬ 
tors in his father’s tanyard. It is said that a number 
of citizens were so impressed with his precocity that 
they induced his father to send him to college and to 
allow him every means of education. After completing 
his course here, he went to Yale College, from which 
he graduated with the highest honors of his class. He 
then took a course in law at the Litchfield (Conn.) Law 
School (an institution celebrated in those days), and 
was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1819. Clayton 
never forgot his mother, and the first act of his profes- 


112 


sional life was one which showed his devotion; his 
initial fee was twenty dollars, and immediately after it 
was received he set out afoot for Milford, that he might 
place it in his mother’s hands. His promotion was 
rapid, being elected to the U. S. Senate at the early age 
of thirty-two. There were giants in the Senate then, 
such men as Calhoun, Webster, Benton and Clay. Mr. 
Clayton immediately took rank as peer of all. He was 
re-elected to the Senate in 1835, again in 1845, and 
again in 1853. During this period he was a foremost 
figure in the discussion and settlement of every ques¬ 
tion of national importance. So prominent had he become 
and so valuable his services that he was made Secretary 
of State under President Taylor. During his incum¬ 
bency of this office, he negotiated the Clayton-Bulwer 
treaty between this country and Great Britain. 

In 1837, desiring to retire from public life, he 
resigned his seat in the Senate, but was induced to accept 
the office of Chief Justice of the state courts. In this 
capacity, too, he was pre-eminent ; although on 
the bench three years, no writ of error was taken 
from his decisions. 

The political enthusiasm which followed Clayton 
was never before equalled in the State, nor has it been 
since. And this enthusiasm was not without its cause ; 
he knew everybody, stopped at the houses of the farm¬ 
ers ; remembered the names of their wives, children 
and relatives, and was not affected by the lack of luxu¬ 
ries. As a campaign speaker he was invincible; among 
his hearers were always about equal numbers of Whigs 
and Democrats, since none could resist his eloquence. 
He combined in a wonderful degree the rare powers of 


a great leader—breadth of information, wit, keen judg¬ 
ment and an affable manner. 

In person he was striking, with a stature of more 
than six feet, large framed and impressive looking. 
His face was handsome, with full, regular features 
and a massive head, around which clustered carelessly 
locks of a grayish brown. His eyes were of a mild 
gray, save when he was aroused, when they seemed to 
flash fire. 

He was married at the outset of his professional career 
to Miss Fisher, of Camden, Delaware, and her early death 
saddened in a measure the remainder of his life. No 
one ever knew the strength of his affections, but the few 
intimate friends who loved him, he occasionally allowed 
to see into the depths hidden from the public. One of 
his diversions was to perform on the violin, and it is 
recorded that he was found on one occasion playing 
“The Fast Rose of Summer,” while the tears were 
coursing down his cheeks. Such was John M. Clayton, 
of Delaware, in his early years of Milford, great in 
intellect and strong in his affections. Through many 
generations our people will cherish his memory. 


MAJOR GEN. A. T. A. TORBERT 

General Torbert was one of our most distinguished 
citizens and most admirable characters. A gentleman 
every inch, yet affable and unassuming. Notwith¬ 
standing the honors conferred upon him he never forgot 
his humbler neighbors and acquaintances. A friend 
relates that on his return from Paris, where he repre¬ 
sented this country as Consul General, his first reception 



was held in the middle of the street, where he greeted 
the farmers, recognizing and calling each by name. 
It was his way, and his simple good-nature won 
him hosts of friends. 

His was a character of many sides, but in each he 
was a self-respecting gentleman. Interested in farming 
he could talk intelligently upon agricultural matters. 
But when the scene changed and he was placed among 
scholars and diplomats, General Torbert was as “one to 
the manor born.” 

But his natural ability was best exhibited in war. 
He chose the cavalry branch of the service, as it 
offered better opportunities for the exercise of his 
intrepid qualities. 

He was bom in Georgetown, Delaware, July i r 
1833, and after attending the home schools, entered 
the U. S. Military Academy at the age of seventeen. 
He graduated in 1855, and was immediately assigned 
to the frontier, where he had his first experience in 
Indian warfare. 

In 1861 he returned home on a leave of absence, 
having, in the meantime, been promoted to a lieuten¬ 
ancy. Ten days later the war broke out. Torbert 
had expected it, and notwithstanding great pressure 
and much persuasion to the contrary, followed the flag 
of his country. He was soon promoted to a captaincy, 
and served at Yorktown and Manassas. He next 
became commander of a brigade, and at South Moun¬ 
tain distinguished himself for coolness and valor. In 
1864 he was appointed Chief of cavalry under the intrepid 
Sheridan. From this time he was constantly in the 
thick of almost every battle, and was brevetted 


Major General of volunteers in September, 1864. He 
was then placed in command of the army of the Shen¬ 
andoah, and continued his brilliant career. In 1865 he 
was made brevet Major General of the U. S. regular 
army. He was mustered out in 1866, and settled in 
Milford, marrying Miss Mary Currey, daughter of 
Daniel Currey. 

In 1868 he was the Republican candidate for Con¬ 
gress, but the state being strongly Democratic, was 
defeated. He was appointed minister to Salvador in 
*1869, and Consul General to Havana in 1871. Two 
years later he became Consul General to Paris. He 
was remarkably popular in diplomatic circles. 

His death was most tragic, and saddened the whole 
'Community. The steamer Vera Cruz, of which he was 
a passenger, was wrecked off the coast of Florida, 
August 29, 1880. Even to the last he showed his 
heroism, using his utmost efforts to save the women 
and children. But he was cast on shore lifeless. His 
funeral, attended by his comrades in arms, his political 
Friends and the humblest citizens of the community, 
will long be remembered. The burial office having 
been read by a former rector of ChristChurch, to which 
he belonged, his remains were interred in the Methodist 
burial-ground. Thus Torbert died—as he had lived— 
in the discharge of his duty. His noble wife was laid 
beside him a number of years later, and both are en¬ 
shrined in the memories of our people. 


116 


THE MILFORD BARD 


John Lofland, the Milford Bard, attained considera¬ 
ble celebrity in his day, and, while not a great poet, 
was a man of considerable genius, whose fame was not 
bounded by the confines of his native State. 

The son of Isaac and Cynthia Lofland, he was born 
in Milford, March 9, 1798. Like many men of letters,, 
he exhibited no especial aptitude for regular study in 
early years. He had an aversion for mathematics, and 
no taste for the languages, but was educating himself 
along original lines. Poetry, philosophy, essays and 
novels he devoured while yet a mere boy, and it was 
his delight to write articles and verses in imitation of 
these various styles. A genius in a certain way, through 
his career he was hampered by a lack of that discipline 
which should have been acquired in his earlier years. In 
addition to this his habits were such as to make his 
work irregular and erratic. His flashes of genius were 
evidences of what might have been accomplished, had 
he been actuated by stronger self-control. 

At the age of seventeen, he began the study of 
medicine under the supervision of his cousin, Dr. James 
P. Lofland. I-Ie attended lectures for three years at 
the medical school of the University of Pennsylvania, 
but had little interest in his studies, and spent much of 
his time in reading and making verses. He was 
known among his associates as “The Poet,” and 
contributed to the Saturday Evening Post , and the 
Casket , a magazine of some prominence. Some of 
these verses were published under the 710m de plume of' 
“the Milford Bard,” and by this title he was subse- 


quently known. He became acquainted about this 
time with Thomas Moore, the poet, when that famous 
man was residing in Philadelphia, and this acquaint¬ 
anceship was the source of great delight to him. Un¬ 
fortunately he was given to dissipation, but after yielding 
unduly to temptation, wrote some of his best lines, and 
the verses that gave him his reputation. 

He had his love attachments, too, and the varied 
experiences growing out of hopes and disappoint¬ 
ments, furnished many themes for his poems. 
A member of various societies of literary men, 
he resided for several years in Baltimore, and 
was paid much attention. For a time he was on the 
staff of the Blue Hen's Chicken , a newspaper of wide 
popularity. 

He died in 1849, at the age of fifty-three, and rests 
in St. Andrew’s church-vard in the city of Wilmington. 

He was in many respects a remarkable person, 
eccentric and irresponsible. Though possessing many of 
the characteristics of genius, as well as some of the frailties 
that usually accompany great literary characters. He 
accomplished just enough in life to awaken admiration, 
and excite wonder as to what he might have done had his 
training been more thorough and his purpose in life 
more serious. 


GEORGE P. FISHER 

George P. Fisher was born in Milford, October 13, 
1817. His father was General Thomas Fisher, and his 
mother Nancy Owens, of Sussex. He passed his 
boyhood in this town, and attended the academy here 

118 



till prepared to enter St. Mary’s college at Baltimore. 
After one year at this institution he withdrew and 
entered Dickinson college, graduating in 1838. 

Mr. Fisher decided upon the profession of law for 
his life work, and naturally chose John M. Clayton as 
his preceptor. They were already well acquainted, 
Fisher’s house being just across the street from the 
Clayton homestead. 

He was admitted to the bar of the state in 1841, and 
began the practice of law in Dover. He immediately 
entered into a large practice, and became a popular 
favorite, and when Clayton was made Secretary of 
State under President Taylor, he invited young Fisher 
to a place in the state department. Here he was 
interested in several important matters and acquitted 
himself in every case with distinction. In 1852 he 
returned to Dover and resumed the practice of law. 

In 1855 Governor Causey appointed him Attorney- 
General of the state. He was the nominee of the 
Union party for Congress in i860, and two years later 
represented the Republican party on the ticket, but 
though he claimed to have been elected, was not seated. 

In 1863 President Lincoln appointed him Associate 
Judge of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. 
He served in this position during the trying days of 
the war, and presided in several famous trials, one of 
which was the case of the conspirators against the life 
of President Lincoln. In 1870 he resigned from the 
bench, and was appointed by President Grant U. S. 
District Attorney for the District of Columbia. In 
1875 he resigned, and then returned to Delaware. His 
last official position was under the Harrison adminis- 


tration, when he was made First Auditor of the Treasury. 
He served till the inauguration of President Cleveland, 
and then returned to Delaware. Later he removed to 
Washington, where he had spent the greater part of 
his mature years, and there he died in February of the 
present year. 

Judge George P. Fisher came into public life at one 
of the stormiest periods of our history. He was a man 
for the times; strong in his convictions, and firm in 
his purposes. Absolutely loyal to his friends and to 
his party affiliations, he made enemies, but even they 
acknowledged his energy, ability and unswerving 
loyalty to his friends and to his convictions. His 
interest in public affairs never waned, and one of the 
latest acts of his life was to prepare an elaborate paper 
on the Monroe Doctrine for the “Sons of Delaware,” 
of Philadelphia. He was married in his early manhood 
to Eliza A., eldest daughter of the Rev. Trusten P. 
McColley. 


120 


Shipbuilding 

T HE first vessels that sailed the waters of the 
Mispillion were not built here, but probably 
in the growing cities of Philadelphia or New 
York. They were engaged in trading in the various 
products, and carried to the cities cargoes of cord- 
wood and general farm produce. The return 
freight consisted in all articles the community con¬ 
sumed. Cord-wood was shipped in large quantities, as 
anthracite coal had not yet been brought into general use. 

The first vessel built on the Mispillion was launched 
at the New Wharf, and its builders were William 
Dredden and William DuPree. In the early days of 
this century the business had increased, and a number 
of vessels were launched from this point. During the 
war of 1812 the British burned two schooners here, and 
when the tide is low their hulks may yet be seen, a 
short distance above the steamboat landing. It is 
surmised that these vessels were built at this spot, the 
New Wharf. 

Of the time when they were launched we have no 
record, but certainly before there was any village of 
Milford. From this point the business gradually 
moved up the stream, and for awhile shipbuilding was 
conducted at the lower end of Paul Knabb’s lane, on 
the spot now occupied by the factory of Simpson & Co. 
John Draper was the proprietor. This was perhaps the 
best site for a ship-yard in the neighborhood, as the 


121 


abrupt turn in the river offers a straight course for 
launching, and, besides, the fast land and sloping hill 
affords good natural advantages. 

It is supposed that a man named West was the pioneer 
shipbuilder in Milford proper. He was followed by 
David Black, who died here a few years since, very 
aged. William Warren and his son Robert were also 
engaged in the business in early days. 

Then came Carlisle & Reville, John C. Truitt and 
James H. Deputy. These were the palmy days of the 
industry. The vessels built were large for the period, and 
used mostly for the coasting trade. Frequently they were 
Of such great dimensions as to be with difficulty gotten 
out of the river, and only the spring tides would float 
certain craft. Mr. Deputy built most of the staunch 
vessels employed by the Mays, of Philadelphia. 

Just prior to the civil war the industry was at its 
height, and Milford became famous among ship-owners 
for her coasting vessels. The business did not wane 
till a number of years after the war, when the extension 
of railroads and the building of steamboats terminated 
the days of the supremacy of the sailing craft. 

Among the firms engaged at a later period were 
Dank & Reville, William A. Scribner, Black & Co., 
Joseph Harper, James W. Abbott, Abbott & Co., 
David Dank, James M. Black, and still later, William 
G. Abbott, who, at this writing is building the largest 
vessel ever on the stocks along our river. But the most 
extensive builders were William F. Reville, James H. 
Deputy, Manlove and Thomas Carlisle, William Scrib¬ 
ner, and the Abbotts—father and son. 

Among the earlier vessels built here were the “Col. 


122 


Gibson,” Captain Woodmansee; the “ Perse verence,” 
Captain Reuben Anderson, and the “Henry White,” 
Captain Henry May. Nearly four hundred sloops and 
schooners in all have been built on the stream, most of 
which were launched from the yards in South Milford. 
This number does not include the smaller craft. Most 
of these gallant vessels now lie on the bottom; some 
are imbedded in the beaches of foreign lands; others 
sailed away and no tidings ever came back, while many 
have been towed into peaceful harbors, where they 
disintegrate in peace. 

There were large vessels built in the early days ; 
about 1832 the bark “Delaware” was launched from 
Hickman’s landing, about half way down the river, 
one of the largest schooners ever built on the stream. As 
early as 1800 vessels were built just below the Milford 
mills, and remnants of stocks, posts and logs yet remain 
as mute witnesses to a great industry of the past. 

The clink of the hammers of the ship carpenters 
made merry music for years; now they have almost 
ceased, and the people sadly feel the loss. Hundreds 
of workmen were engaged, and good wages paid. 
Besides there were kindred .interests which flourished. 
Delaware white oak was in demand; saw-mills were 
busy turning out lumber, and the town was growing 
and prosperous. During the flourishing days of the 
industry, Hiram Barber settled in Milford and conducted 
for many years a saw-mill near the present depot. It 
is said that his mill furnished more timber for ship¬ 
building than any other in this section. Lumber was 
hauled for many miles from both Kent and Sussex and 
from the forests near Maryland. Contractors flourished, 


123 


as many as fifteen men at one time being engaged in 
speculating in ship timber. The Government, too, 
sent contractors here to purchase our famous white 
oak. 

Milford was prosperous then, and fortunes were 
easily made. The south end built up rapidly, and 
there was plenty of money in circulation. With 
nearly twenty vessels on the stocks at one time, one 
may imagine the palmy days for contractors, workmen 
and merchants. Would that the great ship building 
days might be repeated. 


124 


The Press of Milford 

I N 1848 the first newspaper in Milford began publica¬ 
tion and to-day, after a space of little more than 
fifty years, three papers are issued weekly. From 
the advent of the first, to the present time, each has 
started, not so much in response to public demand, as 
to create a place for itself. When the first sheet was 
issued in this town, there was little competition in the 
state below Wilmington; now almost every village has 
its paper and some boast of several; and yet they all 
manage to live and sometimes to prosper. Their num¬ 
ber and circulation have grown out of proportion to 
the increase of population, for the obvious reason that 
men read papers more generally now than in former years. 

It would be difficult to adequately estimate the ele¬ 
vating influences of the press ; all public enterprises, 
moral and religious movements, find it a steady support. 
It disseminates the news, often in itself not elevating, 
but it seldom presents the ghastly and hideous in an 
attractive light. The people are better informed on 
public affairs than they ever were before, and reading' 
even the local gossip, has led many a mind on to more 
elevating literature. The press of Milford compares 
favorably with that of any town in the state, and is 
to-day the greatest engine of progress in the community. 
Its moral force is second only to that of the church ; 
but at times it does not meet with the appreciation it 
deserves. 


125 


THE PIONEERS 


The pioneer newspaper of this town was the Milford 
Beacon , the first number of which was issued in Sep¬ 
tember, 1848. The editor was John H. Emerson, of 
Denton, Md., a man of enterprise and ability, who 
succeeded in a short time in demonstrating the need of 
a public journal, and of his ability to conduct it. The 
paper was published at the northwest corner of Front 
and Church streets, in the brick building still standing. 
Among the contributors to its columns were, Charles 
T. Fleming, Dr. John Stradley, Samuel Paisley, jr., 
and Thomas B. Coursey. After a successful year at 
the above site, it was moved to the Masonic building, 
Front and Walnut streets, where it remained for 
several years. 

In 1851 Mr. Emerson sold the paper to Josiah 
Hart Conrad, an experienced young newspaper man 
from Philadelphia. He enlarged and improved it, and 
under his management it reached its greatest prosperity. 
But in the midst of his success, Mr. Conrad died, and 
the paper passed into the possession of Mahan Brothers, 
James and George. They continued to publish it 
under its original name until 1857, when it was 
transformed into the Diamond State. 

The plant of the Beacon , however, did not pass 
with the new title to Mahan Brothers, but was secured 
by other persons who resumed the original name. Its 
new editor was Richard Chambers, an elderly gentleman 
who had attained some celebrity by compiling the 
speeches of Henry Clay. In 1856, James Mahan, 
withdrawing from partnership with his brother, estab- 


126 


























































I 
















- 

















I 


OLD WASHINGTON HANDPRESS 



Photos, by Daugherty 


THE ‘NEWS” 


p. 127 


" - V 

** •» r. • \ - 











lished a paper in South Milford, which he named the 
Sussex Gleaner. It was not a success, ow’ing to too 
great competition, and though well edited and tastefully 
printed, its final number was soon issued. 

1857 was the year of a great newspaper epidemic, 
four being published at one time. In June the Beacon 
became the Diamond State ; and April 24th Penin¬ 
sular News and Advertiser issued its first number. 
September witnessed the revival of the Beacon , and in 
in October the Observer made its initial bow, with 
Henry S. Truitt and Frederick J. Ennis as proprietors. 
Then the tide turned; the Beacon and Observer sus¬ 
pended, and in 1859 the Diamond State was removed 
to New Castle, leaving to the News the entire field. 


THE PENINSULAR NEWS AND ADVERTISER 

This paper was founded in 1857, by Dr. John S. 
Pretty man and James D. Pretty man, and William T. P. 
Hudson, a brother-in-law, with the last two named 
gentlemen as editors and Samuel E. Smith as its 
publisher, an entirely new plant having been 
purchased by them. It was from the begin¬ 
ning an anti-slavery sheet, the first of its kind 
south of the Mason and Dixon’s line. From the initial 
issue it was fearless, able and aggressive, and in the 
next campaign it supported the candidates of the 
Republican party—Lincoln and Hamlin. In the office 
to-day and regarded as one of its most treasured pos¬ 
sessions, is the old Washington press, upon which the 
first issue of the News was printed. The office was 
in the building now the residence of Dr. William 


127 



Marshall. The paper was published by the above 
gentlemen for about two years, when Dr. John S. Pretty- 
man bought his brother’s interest and continued publi¬ 
cation. Its editors in succession were Prettyman & 
Hudson; Dr. John S. Prettyman, E. P. Aldred, James 

B. Mahan and William H. Hutchin. In 1863 it 
suspended, and for two years there was no paper 
published in the town, save a comparatively unimport¬ 
ant advertising sheet named the Lincoln Herald issued 
by A. T. Johnson. 

But in July, 1865, James B. Riggs, a newspaper 
man from Wilmington, secured the old plant and issued 
the Milford Statesman , which also soon expired. 
Then James B. Mahan began to publish a paper named 
the Milford Argus ; it was well conducted, attractively 
printed and well edited, but ere long it was purchased 
by Reville Brothers, who conducted it for about a year, 
and then sold to Justus Lowery, who called it Our 
Mutual Frie?id. In 1870 General Harris bought the 
concern, but sold out after a year to Dr. John S. Pret¬ 
tyman, who refitted the plant and resumed publication 
of the Penhisular News and Advertiser . 

From this time to the present day it has been 
published regularly under that name. Associated with 
Dr. Prettyman as one of the editors was Dr. William 

C. Davidson ; the publisher was William P. Corsa. 
Immediately it became an influential journal, widely 
read and very ably edited. The plant was probably 
the best equipped south of Wilmington, and it became 
the chief job printing office for almost half the penin¬ 
sula. After a time Mr. Corsa severed his connection 
with the paper, and was succeeded by Scott, Lofland & 


128 


Hynsou as publishers. Mr. Julius E. Scott subse¬ 
quently helped to found the Chronicle , which he 
assisted editing and publishing for several years. 
Mark G. Eofland retired from the printing office, and 
is now one of our successful business men. H. E. 
Hynson subsequently became editor of the paper, and 
conducted it for many years. 

In 1880 H. H. Pretty man, son of Dr. Pretty man, 
succeeded his father as editor and publisher, and a few 
months later Henry Harris purchased a half interest, 
and became his associate. This partnership continued 
till August of the same year, when Henry E. Hynson 
purchased the Pretty man interests, and the paper was 
was issued under the name of Harris & Hynson, editors 
and publishers. 

In November, 1881, there was another change. 
Mr. Hynson secured control of the share of Mr. Harris, 
and assumed full charge of the paper. It was issued 
as an independent Republican sheet, and continued so 
during his lifetime. For more than fifteen years he 
conducted this paper ably and fearlessly until his death, 
which occurred in May, 1897. A few months later 
Millard E- Hydotn leased the plant and became its 
editor and publisher, the lease expiring in January, 
1899. Mr. Hydorn, however, soon retired from the 
editorship to become principal of the North Milford 
public schools. In January, 1899, the present firm of 
Hynson & Mears assumed the management. George 
B. Hynson is a brother of the former editor, H. E. 
Hynson, and Mr. R. J. Mears is a graduate of the 
office. Such has been the history of the News, briefly 
told. While it has experienced many changes of 


129 


management, its editorial utterances have, all the while, 
been marked with uncommon ability; it began as a 
Republican organ, and has continued such till the 
present. Its opinions have been independent and 
clearly expressed; at times its own party leaders 
and their conduct have been criticised. The utterances 
have been fearless and honest, and no one could ever 
doubt the paper’s position. 

Among its editors the names of three stand out con* 
spicuously—Dr. Prettyman, Dr. Davidson and H. L. 
Hynson. Dr. Prettyman is yet living in our midst, 
a most respected citizen. He was one of the first 
great champions of the anti-slavery movement in Dela¬ 
ware, as well as one of the ablest. His political friends 
frequently took issue with his opinions, but that did 
not hinder their utterance. He could not be swerved 
from what he deemed to be right, even though it cost 
him the loss of political support and prestige. He was 
always well informed, and could hold his position 
against the most formidable opponent. His integrity 
and ability were never questioned. He was appointed 
Consul to Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861, by President 
Lincoln, and in 1869, made Collector of Internal Reve¬ 
nue for the District of Delaware, by President Grant. 

Dr. Davidson was one of the brightest and keenest 
editorial writers Delaware ever had ; he was intelligent, 
clear-headed and witty. His command of language 
was remarkable, and the best writers found in him an 
opponent worthy of their steel. He was associated 
with Dr. Prettyman for many years, first as a student 
-of medicine, and later as associate editor. Under their 
combined efforts the paper assumed its prominence; 


130 


his untimely death was regretted by all, and left a gap 
which was difficult to fill. 

Henry L. Hynson learned the newspaper business 
in the office of the News under the tutelage of these 
men. His promotion was rapid, step by step, from 
compositor to editor. His comparative youth when he 
assumed control, was subject to remark, but not reflected 
in the paper. Its utterances from the first had a 
maturity and vigor that commanded respect. He 
was absolutely fearless ; if it became necessary to 
attack the public conduct of a friend, it was done 
without hesitation. He never hedged nor dodged an 
issue, but spoke the truth as he understood it. His 
judgment and clear-headedness were remarkable, and 
when he had once determined upon a line of conduct 
which he thought to be right, he knew no defeat. His 
style was a pattern of lucidness, and he was noted for 
being able to express an idea more clearly and concisely 
than almost any other writer in the state. His satire 
was keen, and at times cutting, but always used for 
what he deemed to be a good purpose. He was a 
staunch friend, absolutely true and honest in every 
relation in life. The press of the State accorded him a 
place among their very ablest writers. In 1890 he was 
appointed chief clerk of the Bureau of Navigation, and 
served in that capacity till the expiration of President 
Harrison’s term. 

Because of its fearlessness and advanced position on 
questions of public interest, this paper has at all times 
met with bitter opposition from those holding different 
views. This opposition was strongest during the first 
few years of its existence. Its agitation of the anti- 


slavery question through several years preceding the war, 
met with violent denunciation. The feeling against it 
grew so strong, that finally one night in 1859 a mob, 
headed by a number of violent pro-slavery leaders, 
assembled for the purpose of wrecking the plant. Two 
of the leading citizens, hearing of the movement, 
informed Dr. Prettyman of the intended violence. 
‘They were James Reedy, for so long one of our promi¬ 
nent merchants, and William D. Fowler, wdio is still 
living, a respected member of the community. When 
the attack was made the mob found the hallway barri¬ 
caded, and Dr. Prettyman and his friends armed and 
fully prepared to defend the property. The men who 
helped to form the brave garrison were James H. Bell, 
Elbertson Little and Charles Little. The crowd were 
taken by surprise, as they expected little defense; 
after a time they retired, still muttering threats of 
future vengeance. All honor to this spartan band who 
risked considerable personal danger, rather than see a 
-great wrong perpetrated. 

The News has been a good school for both religion 
•and patriotism. It has graduated Rev. Samuel E. 
Smith, an Episcopal clergyman ; Rev. Wm. H. Hutchin 
and Rev. E. P. Aldred, of the Methodist church; 
editors H. L- Hynson, Julius E. Scott, Robert D. 
Hoffecker and R. J. Mears; and soldiers, Captain 
Edward Lank, late of the Delaware volunteers, and 
Frederick Ennis, a young man of excellent character, 
who volunteered as a member of the First Delaware 
regiment during the civil war, and was killed at the 
battle of Fredericksburg. There are many other men 
prominent in our affairs, and some who have removed 


132 


elsewhere, who received much of their education in the 
school of the News office. 

For many years this paper has been published from 
rooms in the building known as the Reedy block. For 
a long period one of the busiest portions of the town, 
the U. S. post-office for some years being situated 
beneath. It now occupies the large room formerly 
known as Reedy’s hall. 


THE MILFORD CHRONICLE 

In 1871 two active and enterprising young men, 
well known in the community, determined to start 
another paper. On the first Friday of October of that 
year the Milford Chroriicle made its bow to the public, 
under the management of Scott & Townsend as editors 
and proprietors. Julius E. Scott learned the trade of 
printer in the office of the News, and for a time was 
one of a firm of its publishers. Theodore Townsend 
had first exercised his talents as a journalist by con¬ 
tributing articles to the same during his travels. The 
paper was first printed on a hand press, but after suc¬ 
cess crowned their enterprise, this was discarded for a 
more modem cylinder press. 

It was the first dollar paper issued in the state, 
and its success helped to demonstrate the feasibility of 
publishing local papers at that rate. Friday was 
selected as the day of issue, because of the time involved 
in getting off the edition on the hand press for the 
Saturday issue. From the first it secured the printing 
from the “Old Dominion Steamship Co,” which ran a 


133 



line of boats from Lewes to New York. This was a 
great help to the young enterprise. Its home was at 
first in the building now occupied as a store-house by 
Wm. A. Humes & Son, and it was a seven-column, 
four-page paper. 

In 1880 Mr. Scott sold his interest to William P. 
Corsa, who had formerly been publisher of the NEWS. 
The new firm of Corsa & Townsend changed the style 
of the sheet to an eight-column, four-page paper. In 
1882 m order to meet the demands of the agriculturists, 
the make-up was again modified and transformed into 
an eight-page, six-column paper, one-half of which was 
called the “Delaware Farmer.” 

In 1885 Mr. R. H. Gilman purchased Corsa’s 
interest; his association with the paper continued for 
about a year, when Theodore Townsend purchased his 
interest and became sole proprietor. In 1897 Mr. 
Townsend adopted the present style of a nine-column, 
four-page paper. 

The Milford Chronicle has been a successful publi¬ 
cation from its first issue, and during the twenty-one 
years of its existence never missed a number. Politi¬ 
cally it has been independently Republican, bright, 
newsy and well printed. Editorially it has had its 
opinions, and urged them with vigor. For years it has 
been published in the Windsor block, South Milford. 
Mr. Townsend, the editor, is an affable gentleman, and 
interested in general affairs, for many years he has 
been an active member of council, and during the late 
war with Spain was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of 
the first Delaware regiment. He is now Colonel of the 
Delaware militia. 


134 


This second paper in the town helped to increase 
the number of subscribers of local papers, and, hence, 
has been an educational force. It occupies a field that 
it has created, and which is largely its own. 


THE MILFORD DEMOCRAT 

The third paper was established in Milford in 1894, 
under the name of the Milford Herald , with Fisher & 
Stevens as editors and proprietors. It was neutral in 
politics,but with a decided Republican leaning. From the 
first it manifested considerable enterprise, and the 
reminiscent articles contributed by Judge Fisher, 
aroused much interest. It was a four-page paper and 
well printed. 

In April, 1896, Charles G. Fisher, one of the 
proprietors, purchased the interest of Mr. Stevens, and 
continued as sole proprietor until July, 1897. Mr. 
Fisher had certain qualities which fitted him for 
newspaper work. He was well informed, and had a 
wide acquaintanceship and a keen scent for news. The 
paper, however, did not pay, as the field was already 
filled, and, consequently, its patronage was limited. 

There had been a desire for some years by the 
leaders of the Democratic party for a paper in Milford 
to advocate the principles of their party. Therefore, 
in July, 1897, the plant was purchased by the 
Delaware Press and Publishing Company, and Ezekiel 
T. Cooper, Esq., assumed its editorial management. 
The new company put considerable money into the 
enterprise, and under the direction of Mr. Cooper it 
rapidly came to the front. He was an able writer, and 


135 



his genial nature won a host of friends and subscribers 
for his paper. He did not continue long as editor, 
owing to certain troubles in which he was involved, 
and for a time the Herald was edited by other parties. 
It gradually lost subscribers, and its existence for some 
months was a precarious one. 

In August of the present year, the plant was 
purchased by Wilkinson Brothers, Mr. Henry Wilkin¬ 
son, who established the Milton Times, assuming the 
active management. The name of the paper was 
changed to the Milford Democrat , and thus it continues 
Milford, a few doors west of the bank. It is Democratic 
to the present. It is published on Front street, North 
in politics, as its name implies, and under the manage¬ 
ment of the present proprietors is meeting with success. 
Mr. Wilkinson, a practical newspaper man and a 
pleasant gentleman, is rapidly making friends in our 
midst. Our citizens wish the new proprietors all 
success. 

Such is the history of the press of this town; eleven 
papers in all having been issued, many of which expired 
early. Their utterances have not always been popular, 
and in many instances they have lost support because of 
a fearless expression of honest opinions. But their 
power for good cannot now be measured. From the 
first issue of the News to the present time, news¬ 
papers have not been very remunerative invesments ; 
but they have accomplished a work which, on the whole, 
has been most worthy and invaluable. 


Schools 


O NE of the first school teachers in Milford, 
according to Scharf’s history, was William 
Johnson, who bought the lots, northwest 
corner of Walnut and Water streets, when the town 
was laid out in 1787, and lived and died there. He 
was also a surveyor. The boundaries of his lot, 
taken from his own notes, are here given, as a specimen 
of a curiously minute description: 

‘ ‘Beginning at the intersection of said street, it being 
that point which lieth north eleven degrees east, forty- 
four seven inches from the diametrical centre of the 
body of a maple tree taken at the height of eighteen 
inches above the surface of the ground, standing in the 
edge of the cripple of said creek, below Milford bridge 
thence running with Walnut street north eight degrees 
and fifty minutes west, thirty-three feet three inches, 
thence leaving said street north seventy-nine degrees, 
seven minutes and twenty-two seconds east, eighty-nine 
feet two inches and seven hundred and seventy and 
five-thousandths of an inch. Then south eight degrees 
and fifty minutes east, thirty-one feet and one million 
forty-nine thousand four hundred and seventy-five ten- 
millionths of an inch to Water street; thence with 
Water street south seventy-seven degrees and forty-four 
minutes west, ninety feet home to the place of begin¬ 
ning. Containing two thousand eight hundred and 
eighty and eight superficial square feet and seventy- 
nine square inches and seventy million one hundred 
and eighty-three thousand and twenty and seven- 
hundredth millionths of an inch.” 


137 


Like all the schools down to 1832, Johnson’s was a 
private one. probably kept at his own house. In his 
note-book the following entries appear : Thursday, 
March 25th, 1778, “Notice is taken that James Train 
called William Russell a liar; witness William Pope.” 
“Notice is taken that Peter Robinson was absent from 
school till the evening.” “Notice is taken that James 
Train came to an engagement in school this evening.” 

The Milford Academy was built in 1810, and 
many of our older citizens received their education 
i;here, or were prepared for college. Among the 
earliest teachers was Thomas Hayes, succeeded in 
1813 by William Towner. Five years later the prin¬ 
cipal was the Rev. Henry Judah, rector, at the same 
time, of Christ church. He was followed by the Rev. 
Joseph Spencer, also rector of the church. Mr. 
Spencer became later a teacher in the Episcopal 
Academy, Philadelphia; and, in 1824, professor of 
ancient languages in Dickinson College. The next 
principal was Wm. W. Wolfe, a medical student here 
in the office of Dr. Burton, and afterwards for many 
years a practitioner of medicine in Milton. Then 
came Joshua G. Baker, followed (1830) by William 
Crosman. During these twenty years these well-known 
names have, among others, been on the roll of scholars: 
John M. Clayton, George P. Fisher, Daniel Currey, 
Caleb S. Layton, Joshua S. Layton, Hiram W. Mc- 
Colley, James P. Lcfland, Curtis S. Watson, Bethuel 
Watson, Janies Henry McColley, Daniel C. Godwin. 
In 1831-32 the school was under the charge of two 
young men, Wells and Emerson, graduates of Yale 
college; they are pleasantly remembered by persons 


138 


still living in the town, who were their pupils. After 
these came Frank Backus and his brother William, also 
of Yale. In 1835 the principal was O. K. Howard ; he 
took orders, some time later, in the Episcopal Church. 
The next year the master of the school was Erastus 
Foote, afterwards a professor in Delaware college ’ 
then, from 1839 to 1843, the Rev. John Reynolds. In 
1844 the Rev. John E. McKim was principal of the 
academy. He was a member of the class of 1830 
(Dickinson),and is believed to be at this date,the oldest 
living graduate of the college. 

Mr. McKim moved to Georgetown in 1845, and was 
succeeded in the school by Mr. Root, who was fol¬ 
lowed, the next year, by William Sharp, a graduate of 
Yale. In 1846 the academy passed into the control of 
commissioners of the free schools. In the next twenty 
years or more the classical teachers were, James D. 
Prettyman, A. G. Marlatt, Edward Miller, William T. 
Collins and W. R. Aldred. In 1867, as the successor of 
these men, the Rev. J. Leighton McKim opened a school 
which, not withstanding much competition, was success¬ 
fully maintained for ten years. Among the assistant 
teachers were the following, all college graduates : 
Charles C. Barton, Henry F. Rodney, Robert Grim- 
shaw, Lewis F. Morris, P. F. Seabrook, C. R. Layton 
and Elbert B. Taylor. The decennial catalogue gives 
the names of more than 450 scholars during the period. 

Another school was in operation, most of this 
time, under the charge of the following exceptionally 
good scholars and teachers: Chas.W. Reed and James 
M. Williams, E. B. Gaylord, Charles W. Super, and 
William Lord. Mr. Reed is at this date the president 


139 


of Washington College, Md., and Mr. Williams, now 
deceased, was for some years principal of the Conference 
Academy, Dover. Other iteachers were Robert Chris¬ 
tian and R. E. Maranville. 

The Classical Academy was organized in 1883 and 
chartered in 1886. The principals of the school since 
that time has been as follows : In 1884, George Rugg; 
1885-86, William J. Lloyd; 1886-89, Alfred C. 
Arnold; 1890, William S. Stevens and L. L. Boundsr 
1892, Samuel Abbott; 1893-94, Robert Shloss; 
1895-96, Ruby Vale; 1897-98, Robert E. Roe. 

These teachers and their assistants have been with 
hardly an exception well qualified for their work, and 
many of them have since been chosen to positions of 
greater importance and responsibility. 


Our public schools were established in compliance- 
with the general school law, and have been the medium 
of education for most of our citizens. The first school 
was opened at the junction of Church and North streets. 
About the same time another was established on Second 
Street, south. These grew into several districts, but 
in 1877, by act of Legislature, those of each side were 
consolidated. In the present year another act united 
the districts which had been divided by the river. It 
is impossible to mention the names of teachers, 
they have been too numerous, and we should do 
injustice in omitting any; suffice it to say, they 
have done an excellent work, and their names 
are cherished by hosts of former pupils. At present 
the schools are in a flourishing condition and promise 
a successful future. 


140 

























Beautiful Kent 


\ 


OW sweet are thy meadows, 

O ! beautiful Kent! 

Where Nature is smiling 
And man is content,— 

The wheat fields that billow 
And break like the sea, 

The note of the mocking-bird 
Calling to me ; 

The drone of the bees, 

And the wealth of perfume 
That floats where the hedges 
Run riot with bloom; 

The old-fashioned gardens 
That roses adorn ; 

The darkies all singing 
At work in the corn— 
These, these are the glories 
That heaven hath sent 
Thy sons and thy daughters, 
O ! beautiful Kent! 

How pleasant to ramble 
When early at morn 
The dew is a-glisten 
On blossom and thorn ; 

To traverse the path 
At the close of day, 

And pluck the wild roses 
That grow by the way ! 
The blossoms that whiten 


143 


The orchards in spring, 

The plowmen afield, 

And the birds on the wing; 

The long line of fences 
That shimmer between 
The clover-fields gaudy 
In crimson and green,— 

All, all are proclaiming 
That nature has meant 
Her sons should be happy 
In beautiful Kent. 

When daylight is fading, 

And out in the west 
The sun in his splendor 
Goes proudly to rest, 

Then homeward to wander, 

All certain to share 
The greeting of loved ones 
Awaiting us there,— 

From hearts overflowing, 

Whose memories keep 
The loved ones that wake, 

And the loved ones asleep. 

There strife cannot enter, 

And murmurings cease; 

For Trust shall abide 
In the dwelling of Peace ; 

And when the last hours 
Of our life have been spent, 

We’ll sleep in the bosom, 

•Of beautiful Kent. 

—G. B. H. 


H4 









c% 







: i»yy 

















' 

' V | 




























v 

































* 

• ■ 







♦ '• 


























































































































- 
































\ % $ 

'K, * 'vg&w * *?’ ^ * yw *T ^ ^ ^ 

^ y ,v , , c#- * 

- J o\v^'. f W* * v 

. ^ K , 

: x° o, * 



a ^ 




ci a, : 






- %■ > * 


v V 

^\ - V 

<\ * jfF$j(K^- * 'V’ V, . 

/ JUjUll, - ^ ^ * f '\}£^ % * ”%• ^ ® Jjpl|=| - '<< 

." «**% . 

-•’•«ifW •' -V- ", ' (C'i> ‘ j, A - V 

■V' * *' >V^ ,V 0 • 1 V°.‘ c ♦-V" 

' — V w : 

v^v :."v^</ V^'V 

•> , | ) f .'’.J'/V v' ***», > ,0^ s'"”'., 

^ ,v^' ♦ rfCvW,A. °« ^ 

, / ^ % \ * K 

,0^ C tl N c ♦ *<S> ' * * ' ^S\* v 1 8 * \>.' ° 

0 * * 'P .1^ ' -t O 

, ^ J - -- *< * I I 

' </' s ' • • rl 0 -%" ^ ’* F ,.., ♦<•■'*' o f 0 °, ,i., ,\'» » h ° ’* y , . , 

* <5‘ ,v, *. iv/\^<'A, r * /* " A * 

°i/> ,<v * ° ^ 

z \ z 

° ^ ° 'I// XW c.' 

* ■J> ) •> ^.l^^nXt * v/ %<■ 

> * ^ ^ ’i a v 

O. ^0 n V ^ ,C^ 

^ * 


V 3 ^>, 








V<‘ 


■\ iy V ^ , 

S’ ^ « <?*^ .v, /t/^- ^ * 

O 

z 

o 

> ^ 

or - ^ -^yy/m^ . 

^ y o J) >.' is .0 ^ S s A ^ - o « v - • vj> 

^ ^ ,0^ ,c oN S,% 

' +/* y ** .< o ^ A^iiAfc. - ^ 

<X V *> 

* N 0 ^ * 




* o' <•.<',_> 



, •#> 
ja' 





sv ^ ^ , <^y//i\),w ^ v •^ v ' vri ii\\\^sN ~ o> ’r^ ^y^y/tw^kV v 

e- *,,.» L° »..,«?#.»<.««’ \# *»,!* L.0- 

o ^ A* Q- ^ ^ ^ . x is* . 


*> 


> *v 




A 




k ^ v A 


# s. s S A 
d * S a\ .11 


A\ ~ . 





o 


*vv° ■ v 0 .^* f "v""' '/\•'_*,% % 



0 n y 


t> V 

* a> ^ /. 



^ rv 

\ 





> ^ V v''.;./«X > 0 M 0 v<' * • 


MSP * ^ % \ 


^ A »■> 


y 0 ^ ^ ^ .AO <f X / , , S 

, °o fP^ .‘°JL'«, ^ ** .# v«' 1 '"/, 

<* V n «V 

* Ac; 

, ^ '"-, * ‘tzym * ,, - ' %ir 

* ,# v ‘•Tr -' - n ° ° ■ 

X \ *> o p > H 1 
<1 





o rP ^ oF * A ' 

'\/ sVVj^‘% " " N 0 . t * 0/ "V«n -^/\s 

5 ^ <<y - M«Ma ° % s - Js 



c- % 

.V </> 


T> & ^ 1, U -4 \?A' 

S, ^ A 7 » * 1 ^ .\^ . | ., y 0 * J. ^ <0 % 

, -?p ,#' V* ' ' * 4 ^ % ,0 V «.» N ‘- * 

^ A : £m^ * -o $ : 

A j = a*+ : 




c^ * 


« 

<1 





s' A 

Av\ N ,<A ,8 « ^o 

J» S V _/T^ -t <J> 
k\ v l&rU/7?2- 1 


o * 


^ \ v ^ 

p.0 c- % 

® C S j> « A ^/* ^ » N O ■ \r 




/<2 c=» <» 









0 N 



' 9 \ \ 


,9 . 

* •>tf <$> * 

= •%. o 

. -- . m#\2 * ^ '%■ \ 

V' 0 * 1 '* ^ N ^Vtvo' .-V 'o % 

^ • rO c 0 N 0 * . i i fi ^ 

- O ^ _c^N\ ^ ^ V 

• - a > A ^ * 

^ \ 

, V*-'* / t ,;,^K*»K.’- * 
^ *'• +« - 


V x * 0 a 






s % \ A 







^ <<* 

«V A ^ % ” C^-T oV ^ % 

S S ' &0 \ I S y °*^' i> *\0 <£ *f l ^ s S ’ <\ 

V ^ ' Il*-1 %> f O^ C° N ^ -VI- 

^ «V ^ a&’Jr r V * ** ~r>Csc\ v « 'A v 

<& *. * ' v. ^ * 

; °o' ; % n . - ■ . 

*■ 

„ v IV' ;v ^ X ’ * • >>" r: ' T '>°, >.., V *»:.’• 


\° °* 




* 

s ** r * o n ° ^ ^ ^ *" » j , 1 *' v ^Cr 

s ^ *> *if *o, ^ 1 

*• R 5 * * 

* rJVW Ai ° <£ 





^ >■ s 

^ . * o^ * 

J>' . =>- V % 

'A <*■ 


O 


A* «/> z 


& >- 



A v ^ \ 

* ^ ^ ^ v" 1 *4 % % ° " c°^° ' ° N C 

' *, 4*fc' *> ^ $ 

._ © cr 

\°°x 





, ^ <%> 

^ ^ * '*0 0^ ° 

* i * 

U' ~0 w f, ~ <** <VV* dyL 

^ V .# ^ .4 



K 

V 

+ 

■J-' 

>r 


9 \ ^ 



*> 

VV i,, < t .««, ^ 

V^ ^ \e>sr ??*-' 1 "O C, ■» ^ "V 

^ JPir///vSL -P u * 



°o y 

A o v s s 7 

- , •> * * 


•\ 



^ *° 

Jkr ^ ^ 'C'lA' * N A 

^ f ^ ^ n 0 \^ ^ ^ g i n * 


<• '*'AA ,,. -*. 

\A , « v 8 k *^r> 

• ~rp jA v ' -■'*’*' 1 ° 

* 1,0 0* ' 




^ A) 




















































































